A man who laced candy with tranquilliser and distributed them to minors at a summer camp in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two boys aged nine and 10.
The accused was taken into custody after eight minors and an older person fell ill at the location in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from that region, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at the judicial center on the end of the week.
However, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was against a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was held in detention before a subsequent court date on November 28th.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, detailed Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She said his those affected were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a youth camp which he managed.
The man played a "sweet game" with the children, the prosecutor explained, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and request they to ingest treats "as fast as possible".
She told the court the defendant had played this game with the boys "repeatedly", and children had previously fallen ill the next day.
She explained the man had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had concerns in July 2025.
The prosecutor stated further: "In the summer" his family member had suspicions about what was going on, for good reason.
"They chose" to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor stated objects including infant oil, Vaseline and injection devices were found, and his stepson contacted the police about his concerns.
She said Ruben continued to play the "sweet game" with six youngsters that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the following morning.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that time," she continued.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was reviewing the police response of the events.
Mrs Prior said the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so the family member called the police once more.
She stated Ruben then engaged in the "sweet game" in a room of five minors.
