A person who spiked treats with sedative and gave them to children at a summer camp in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two young males who were between nine and ten.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight children and an older person experienced illness at the location in July.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at the courthouse on Friday.
However, he disputed a single sexual charge he was facing, which was involving a young boy.
The accused was held in detention ahead of a further hearing on late November.
'Sweet game'
The legal representative, prosecuting, outlined Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She said his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a youth camp which he ran.
The man played a "treat game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior said, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were settling down and tell them to consume candy "rapidly".
She told the court the man had engaged in this activity with the boys "repeatedly", and minors had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She stated the man had been able to explain this repeatedly as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had suspicions in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "This year his family member had suspicions about the activities, with valid cause.
"They decided to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC explained objects including lubricant, Vaseline and medical needles were discovered, and his stepchild notified the police about his concerns.
She stated the man went on to play the "sweet game" with six children that night - that Saturday - and they were all ill the subsequent day.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that point," she added.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was examining Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
The prosecutor stated the minors were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson contacted the authorities once more.
She explained Ruben then conducted the "sweet game" in a room of five youngsters.
