An individual who spiked treats with tranquilliser and gave them to children at a youth camp in Leicestershire has admitted sexual offences against two children both nine and ten years old.
The defendant was detained after eight children and a grown-up fell ill at the facility in mid-summer.
The senior citizen, from the Nottinghamshire area, admitted guilt to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
However, he denied one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was involving a nine-year-old boy.
The defendant was remanded in custody before a subsequent court date on late November.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, detailed Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She said his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a youth camp which he operated.
The defendant conducted a "sweet game" with the minors, the legal counsel said, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were settling down and tell them to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge the man had engaged in this activity with the children "over an extended period", and youngsters had previously become sick the following morning.
She stated the man had been able to explain this repeatedly as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepchild had concerns in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "This year his family member had worries about the activities, justifiably.
"They chose" to investigate in the man's possessions."
The prosecutor stated objects including infant oil, ointment and injection devices were discovered, and his stepchild notified the law enforcement about his worries.
She stated Ruben went on to engage in the "treat game" with six youngsters that evening - July 26th - and they were all sick the next day.
"The police had not gone out by that stage," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the police conduct office, had stated that it was investigating the police response of the incident.
Mrs Prior stated the minors were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson contacted the police once more.
She said the defendant then engaged in the "sweet game" in a area of five children.
