A man who contaminated sweets with tranquilliser and gave them to children at a summer program in Leicestershire has admitted sexual crimes against two boys aged between nine and ten.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight children and a grown-up became sick at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The senior citizen, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
However, he disputed one particular crime he was charged with, which was involving a young boy.
The defendant was kept in jail before a further hearing on November 28th.
'Sweet game'
The prosecutor, presenting evidence, outlined the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She said his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a youth camp which he operated.
Ruben played a "candy game" with the minors, the prosecutor said, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and request they to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She told the court the man had engaged in this activity with the boys "repeatedly", and children had previously become sick the subsequent day.
She said Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had suspicions in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "Recently" his stepson had concerns about the situation, with valid cause.
"They decided to examine in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC said objects including baby oil, Vaseline and injection devices were located, and his family member alerted the police about his worries.
She explained the defendant continued to play the "candy game" with six boys that night - July 26th - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"Authorities" had not responded by that stage," she added.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was investigating the police response of the incident.
The prosecutor explained the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson called the law enforcement again.
She explained the defendant then played the "candy game" in a area of five youngsters.
