A person who laced treats with sleeping medication and provided them to children at a summer camp in Leicestershire has admitted sexual crimes against two boys who were nine and ten years old.
The accused was detained after eight minors and one adult became sick at the location in July.
The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he was present at the judicial center on Friday.
However, he refused to admit a single sexual charge 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.
'Candy game'
The prosecutor, prosecuting, detailed the defendant's actions to the legal proceedings.
She said his those affected were under-privileged children who were attending a summer program which he managed.
Ruben engaged in a "treat game" with the children, the prosecutor stated, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to eat sweets "rapidly".
She told the court Ruben had played this game with the young males "for many years", and children had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She said the man had been able to explain this for many years as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had concerns in summer 2025.
The prosecutor added: "Recently" his stepson had suspicions about the situation, justifiably.
"They chose" to examine in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC said items including lubricant, Vaseline and syringes were located, and his stepson contacted the law enforcement about his worries.
She stated the man went on to play the "sweet game" with six boys that night - July 26th - and they were all ill the next day.
"The police had not gone out by that time," she added.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was examining law enforcement's management of the events.
The legal representative explained the minors were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so the family member notified the authorities once more.
She explained the defendant then engaged in the "treat game" in a room of five minors.
