An individual who laced treats with tranquilliser and provided them to children at a youth camp in Leicestershire has admitted sexual offences against two children both nine and ten years old.
The accused was detained after eight children and one adult experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from that region, admitted guilt to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
However, he refused to admit one particular crime he was facing, which was involving a young boy.
Ruben was kept in jail prior to a subsequent court date on late November.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, outlined the criminal behavior to the judicial body.
She explained his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a summer camp which he ran.
Ruben engaged in a "candy game" with the children, the legal counsel stated, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge the man had played this game with the young males "over an extended period", and minors had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She stated the defendant had been capable of justifying this for many years as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had suspicions in summer 2025.
The prosecutor stated further: "In the summer" his family member had worries about the activities, justifiably.
"They decided to investigate in the individual's items."
The legal counsel said materials including baby oil, petroleum jelly and medical needles were discovered, and his family member alerted the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She said the defendant continued to play the "candy game" with six children that night - July 26th - and they were everyone unwell the next day.
"The police had not gone out by that time," she continued.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
The prosecutor stated the minors were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so the family member contacted the police a second time.
She stated the man then conducted the "sweet game" in a room of five children.
