A man who laced treats with tranquilliser and provided them to youngsters at a youth camp in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two children both nine and ten years old.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight children and one adult fell ill at the facility in the summer month.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
However, he disputed a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was concerning a young boy.
The accused was held in detention prior to a additional proceeding on late November.
'Candy game'
The prosecutor, prosecuting, outlined Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She explained his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were participating in a summer camp which he ran.
The man played a "treat game" with the children, the legal counsel stated, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and request they to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge the defendant had played this game with the children "repeatedly", and children had previously become sick the next day.
She said the man had been capable of justifying this for many years as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had suspicions in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC added: "In the summer" his stepchild had suspicions about the situation, justifiably.
"They resolved" to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor stated materials including infant oil, Vaseline and syringes were found, and his family member contacted the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She stated Ruben went on to engage in the "sweet game" with six boys that time - July 26th - and they were all ill the next day.
"The police had not gone out by that stage," she added.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the incident.
The prosecutor said the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so the stepson notified the authorities once more.
She said the man then engaged in the "treat game" in a room of five minors.
