A person who contaminated sweets with sedative and gave them to minors at a summer camp in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual offences against two young males both nine and 10.
The accused was taken into custody after eight youngsters and a grown-up became sick at the location in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, admitted guilt to a total of 17 charges when he was present at the courthouse on Friday.
However, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was remanded in custody before a additional proceeding on November 28th.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, described Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She stated his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a summer program which he operated.
Ruben played a "sweet game" with the children, Mrs Prior said, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to consume candy "rapidly".
She stated to the judge the defendant had engaged in this activity with the children "for many years", and youngsters had previously become sick the next day.
She said Ruben had been able to explain this for many years as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had worries in summer 2025.
The prosecutor stated further: "In the summer" his stepchild had suspicions about the activities, justifiably.
"They decided to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel explained materials including lubricant, ointment and syringes were discovered, and his stepchild contacted the law enforcement about his concerns.
She explained the defendant went on to engage in the "treat game" with six youngsters that night - July 26th - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that stage," she added.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was investigating the police response of the events.
The prosecutor stated the minors were struggling to walk due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson notified the authorities again.
She said the defendant then engaged in the "treat game" in a room of five children.
