A man who contaminated candy with sedative and distributed them to minors at a summer program in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two young males both between nine and ten.
The accused was detained after eight minors and a grown-up became sick at Stathern Lodge in July.
The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he stood at the courthouse on the end of the week.
However, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was against a young boy.
The defendant was kept in jail ahead of a further hearing on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, detailed the defendant's actions to the legal proceedings.
She said his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a summer camp which he ran.
Ruben played a "treat game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor stated, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and request they to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge the man had played this game with the boys "over an extended period", and children had previously become sick the next day.
She said the defendant had been able to explain this for many years as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had concerns in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "In the summer" his stepchild had concerns about the activities, with valid cause.
"They decided to investigate in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel stated objects including baby oil, petroleum jelly and injection devices were located, and his family member contacted the police about his concerns.
She said the defendant went on to conduct the "treat game" with six boys that night - that Saturday - and they were all sick the next day.
"Authorities" had not responded by that point," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the events.
Mrs Prior explained the children were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so the family member contacted the law enforcement once more.
She stated the man then played the "candy game" in a space of five youngsters.
