A man who contaminated treats with sedative and gave them to minors at a summer camp in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two young males both between nine and ten.
The accused was detained after eight minors and one adult fell ill at the facility in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at the courthouse on Friday.
Yet, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was against a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was kept in jail prior to a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, described the criminal behavior to the court.
She said his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were participating in a youth camp which he ran.
Ruben conducted a "sweet game" with the children, the legal counsel said, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She told the court Ruben had played this game with the young males "for many years", and minors had previously fallen ill the next day.
She said Ruben had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had worries in July 2025.
The prosecutor stated further: "In the summer" his stepson had suspicions about the situation, with valid cause.
"They chose" to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC explained objects including lubricant, ointment and medical needles were located, and his family member contacted the authorities about his suspicions.
She explained the defendant continued to conduct the "sweet game" with six boys that night - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.
"The police had not responded by that point," she added.
The police watchdog, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was reviewing the police response of the situation.
Mrs Prior said the children were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so the stepson contacted the law enforcement again.
She explained Ruben then conducted the "treat game" in a room of five youngsters.
