A man who spiked sweets with sedative and provided them to youngsters at a youth camp in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual offenses against two young males who were nine and ten years old.
The accused was taken into custody after eight children and an older person experienced illness at the facility in July.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at the judicial center on the end of the week.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was involving a nine-year-old boy.
Ruben was remanded in custody prior to a further hearing on late November.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, detailed Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She said his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a youth camp which he managed.
Ruben played a "candy game" with the children, the legal counsel said, 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 stated to the judge the defendant had engaged in this activity with the young males "repeatedly", and minors had previously become sick the following morning.
She said the man had been able to explain this over a long period as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had concerns in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "This year his stepson had worries about the situation, justifiably.
"They resolved" to examine in the man's possessions."
The prosecutor explained materials including baby oil, petroleum jelly and syringes were found, and his stepchild contacted the law enforcement about his worries.
She said the defendant proceeded to engage in the "candy game" with six youngsters that time - July 26th - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that point," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, had stated that it was examining the police response of the events.
The legal representative said the minors were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so the stepson called the police once more.
She said the man then engaged in the "sweet game" in a room of five minors.
