A person who spiked treats with sleeping medication and provided them to children at a youth camp in Leicestershire has admitted sexual crimes against two young males both nine and ten years old.
The accused was arrested after eight children and one adult became sick at the location in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he was present at the judicial center on Friday.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was facing, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was kept in jail ahead of a further hearing on late November.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, outlined Ruben's offending to the court.
She said his those affected were disadvantaged youngsters who were participating in a youth camp which he ran.
The defendant conducted a "sweet game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel said, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She informed the proceedings the defendant had engaged in this activity with the boys "repeatedly", and minors had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She stated the defendant had been able to explain this over a long period as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had worries in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "In the summer" his stepchild had worries about the activities, for good reason.
"They resolved" to examine in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor said objects including infant oil, petroleum jelly and medical needles were found, and his stepson contacted the authorities about his concerns.
She stated the man proceeded to conduct the "sweet game" with six boys that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the next day.
"The police had not gone out by that time," she continued.
The regulatory agency, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the situation.
Mrs Prior said the minors were struggling to walk due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson contacted the police once more.
She stated the defendant then played the "sweet game" in a area of five youngsters.
