A person who contaminated treats with tranquilliser and provided them to youngsters at a youth camp in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two young males both nine and 10.
The accused was arrested after eight children and an older person became sick at the facility in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was against a young boy.
Ruben was held in detention ahead of a further hearing on late November.
'Candy game'
The prosecutor, presenting evidence, described the defendant's actions to the court.
She stated his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were participating in a summer program which he operated.
Ruben conducted a "sweet game" with the minors, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and request they to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She told the court the defendant had played this game with the boys "repeatedly", and minors had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She explained the defendant had been capable of justifying this repeatedly as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had concerns in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "Recently" his stepson had worries about what was going on, justifiably.
"They chose" to investigate in the individual's items."
The prosecutor explained items including lubricant, ointment and syringes were discovered, and his family member contacted the police about his worries.
She explained the man continued to play the "sweet game" with six boys that time - July 26th - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"The police had not responded by that time," she continued.
The oversight body, the investigative body, had stated that it was reviewing the police response of the events.
Mrs Prior said the youngsters were struggling to walk due to their condition, so the stepson contacted the law enforcement once more.
She said Ruben then conducted the "sweet game" in a room of five children.
