A man who spiked treats with sleeping medication and gave them to youngsters at a summer camp in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual crimes against two young males aged nine and 10.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight minors and one adult became sick at the facility in the summer month.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
Yet, he denied one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
The accused was remanded in custody prior to a additional proceeding on late November.
'Treat game'
The prosecutor, handling the case, described Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She explained his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a summer program which he ran.
The man engaged in a "treat game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor explained, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were settling down and ask them to eat sweets "rapidly".
She stated to the judge the man had played this game with the children "for many years", and children had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She stated Ruben had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepchild had suspicions in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "Recently" his family member had suspicions about what was going on, for good reason.
"They resolved" to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC explained items including infant oil, ointment and syringes were located, and his stepson contacted the police about his suspicions.
She stated Ruben proceeded to engage in the "sweet game" with six boys that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the next day.
"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that time," she added.
The regulatory agency, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the incident.
The legal representative explained the youngsters were struggling to walk due to being ill, so the stepson notified the law enforcement once more.
She stated Ruben then conducted the "candy game" in a room of five youngsters.
