A person who contaminated sweets with tranquilliser and distributed them to youngsters at a summer camp in Leicestershire has admitted sexual offences against two young males who were nine and 10.
The defendant was arrested after eight children and a grown-up became sick at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at the courthouse on the end of the week.
Yet, he denied one particular crime he was facing, which was concerning a young boy.
The defendant was held in detention prior to a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
The legal representative, presenting evidence, outlined the defendant's actions to the legal proceedings.
She stated his victims were under-privileged children who were attending a youth camp which he operated.
Ruben conducted a "treat game" with the children, the legal counsel said, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She informed the proceedings the man had played this game with the boys "repeatedly", and minors had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She said the man had been able to explain this repeatedly as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had worries in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "Recently" his family member had worries about the activities, justifiably.
"They decided to examine in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel said items including infant oil, ointment and medical needles were found, and his family member notified the law enforcement about his worries.
She stated the defendant went on to conduct the "candy game" with six youngsters that evening - that Saturday - and they were all ill the following morning.
"Authorities" had not responded by that time," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the police conduct office, had stated that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the events.
The legal representative stated the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson called the law enforcement a second time.
She stated Ruben then conducted the "candy game" in a area of five children.
