An individual who contaminated treats with sleeping medication and distributed them to youngsters at a summer camp in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual offenses against two children both between nine and ten.
The accused was arrested after eight youngsters and an older person became sick at the facility in July.
The senior citizen, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he was present at the courthouse on Friday.
However, he disputed a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was against a young boy.
Ruben was held in detention ahead of a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, described Ruben's offending to the court.
She stated his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a youth camp which he ran.
Ruben engaged in a "sweet game" with the minors, the legal counsel said, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were getting ready for bed and request they to ingest treats "as fast as possible".
She told the court Ruben had played this game with the young males "over an extended period", and youngsters had previously become sick the subsequent day.
She explained Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had suspicions in July 2025.
The legal representative stated further: "This year his family member had concerns about the activities, for good reason.
"They resolved" to have a look in the individual's items."
Mrs Prior KC said objects including baby oil, petroleum jelly and injection devices were found, and his family member notified the authorities about his suspicions.
She explained the man continued to engage in the "candy game" with six children that time - July 26th - and they were all ill the next day.
"The police had not responded by that time," she added.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was reviewing the police response of the events.
Mrs Prior explained the children were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson notified the police once more.
She said Ruben then conducted the "treat game" in a space of five youngsters.
