A man who laced candy with sedative and distributed them to children at a summer camp in Leicestershire has admitted sexual offenses against two boys both between nine and ten.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight children and an older person became sick at the location in July.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
Nevertheless, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
The accused was held in detention ahead of a further hearing on late November.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, prosecuting, outlined the defendant's actions to the court.
She explained his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a summer program which he operated.
Ruben engaged in a "treat game" with the children, Mrs Prior said, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and request they to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".
She informed the proceedings the man had engaged in this activity with the children "for many years", and children had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She stated the defendant had been capable of justifying this for many years as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepchild had suspicions in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "Recently" his stepson had suspicions about what was going on, justifiably.
"They chose" to examine in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel stated items including baby oil, Vaseline and syringes were discovered, and his family member notified the police about his worries.
She said the defendant proceeded to conduct the "sweet game" with six youngsters that evening - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that stage," she continued.
The oversight body, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was examining Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.
Mrs Prior stated the youngsters were struggling to walk due to their condition, so the family member notified the authorities again.
She said Ruben then engaged in the "treat game" in a area of five minors.
