A person who spiked sweets with tranquilliser and provided them to youngsters at a youth camp in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual offenses against two children both nine and 10.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight youngsters and a grown-up became sick at the location in mid-summer.
The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he was present at the courthouse on the end of the week.
Nevertheless, he denied a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was kept in jail prior to a additional proceeding on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, outlined Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She stated his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a summer camp which he ran.
Ruben conducted a "treat game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel explained, in which he would go into the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and tell them to consume candy "rapidly".
She informed the proceedings the defendant had conducted this practice with the boys "repeatedly", and children had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She stated Ruben had been able to explain this for many years as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had concerns in July 2025.
The prosecutor continued: "This year his stepson had worries about the situation, with valid cause.
"They decided to examine in the individual's items."
Mrs Prior KC stated items including baby oil, petroleum jelly and injection devices were found, and his stepchild contacted the authorities about his concerns.
She said the man went on to conduct the "treat game" with six boys that evening - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.
"Authorities" had not responded by that time," she added.
The oversight body, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was examining law enforcement's management of the incident.
The legal representative said the minors were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so the family member called the authorities once more.
She explained the defendant then played the "sweet game" in a room of five children.
