An individual who spiked sweets with sedative and gave them to children at a summer program in Leicestershire has admitted sexual offences against two boys who were nine and 10.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight youngsters and one adult experienced illness at the location in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a total of 17 charges when he was present at the courthouse on the end of the week.
Yet, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was involving a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was held in detention ahead of a additional proceeding on late November.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, outlined Ruben's offending to the court.
She stated his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a youth camp which he operated.
The defendant conducted a "sweet game" with the children, the legal counsel said, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and request they to ingest treats "rapidly".
She told the court the man had conducted this practice with the boys "over an extended period", and children had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She said the man had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepchild had concerns in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC added: "Recently" his family member had worries about what was going on, justifiably.
"They resolved" to examine in the man's possessions."
The prosecutor said objects including lubricant, ointment and syringes were located, and his family member alerted the law enforcement about his concerns.
She explained Ruben went on to conduct the "candy game" with six children that evening - that Saturday - and they were all sick the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that time," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the situation.
The prosecutor said the minors were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson contacted the authorities a second time.
She said the man then conducted the "sweet game" in a area of five minors.
