A man who spiked candy with tranquilliser and gave them to children at a youth camp in Leicestershire has admitted sexual offenses against two children aged between nine and ten.
The defendant was arrested after eight minors and a grown-up fell ill at the location in July.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at the judicial center on the end of the week.
However, he denied a single sexual charge he was facing, which was concerning a young boy.
The accused was remanded in custody prior to a further hearing on 28 November.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, outlined Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She stated his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a summer program which he operated.
Ruben conducted a "sweet game" with the minors, the legal counsel explained, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and request they to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She informed the proceedings the defendant had conducted this practice with the boys "for many years", and children had previously become sick the following morning.
She stated the man had been able to explain this repeatedly as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had concerns in July 2025.
The prosecutor continued: "This year his stepchild had suspicions about what was going on, justifiably.
"They chose" to examine in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC stated objects including baby oil, Vaseline and medical needles were discovered, and his family member alerted the police about his concerns.
She explained Ruben proceeded to play the "treat game" with six children that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that point," she added.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the events.
Mrs Prior explained the children were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so the family member called the police once more.
She said Ruben then played the "sweet game" in a area of five youngsters.
