A person who laced candy with tranquilliser and provided them to youngsters at a summer camp in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual offenses against two young males both nine and 10.
The defendant was arrested after eight minors and an older person became sick at the facility in July.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he was present at the judicial center on recently.
Nevertheless, he disputed one particular crime he was accused of, which was involving a young boy.
Ruben was kept in jail ahead of a additional proceeding on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, detailed Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She stated his targets were under-privileged children who were staying at a summer camp which he managed.
Ruben conducted a "candy game" with the minors, the prosecutor said, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to eat sweets "rapidly".
She told the court the man had conducted this practice with the children "for many years", and children had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She stated the man had been capable of justifying this repeatedly as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had suspicions in summer 2025.
The prosecutor added: "Recently" his stepchild had suspicions about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They chose" to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel explained items including infant oil, ointment and injection devices were found, and his stepchild contacted the authorities about his concerns.
She said the defendant continued to engage in the "treat game" with six children that time - that Saturday - and they were all ill the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that point," she continued.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was reviewing the police response of the situation.
The prosecutor explained the minors were struggling to walk due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson notified the police once more.
She stated the defendant then engaged in the "sweet game" in a space of five minors.
