A man who spiked treats with sedative and provided them to youngsters at a summer camp in Leicestershire has admitted sexual offences against two boys aged between nine and ten.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight minors and an older person experienced illness at the facility in mid-summer.
The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
Nevertheless, he denied one particular crime he was accused of, which was concerning a young boy.
The accused was kept in jail before a additional proceeding on November 28th.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, detailed the defendant's actions to the legal proceedings.
She said his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a summer program which he managed.
Ruben conducted a "candy game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor explained, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and ask them to ingest treats "rapidly".
She informed the proceedings the defendant had played this game with the young males "over an extended period", and minors had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She said the man had been capable of justifying this for many years as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had worries in summer 2025.
The legal representative stated further: "This year his stepchild had concerns about the situation, with valid cause.
"They chose" to investigate in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel said objects including lubricant, Vaseline and medical needles were found, and his stepchild notified the police about his suspicions.
She stated Ruben proceeded to engage in the "treat game" with six boys that evening - that Saturday - and they were all ill the next day.
"Authorities" had not responded by that stage," she continued.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was examining Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
The prosecutor said the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson contacted the authorities again.
She explained the man then played the "candy game" in a area of five minors.
