A person who contaminated sweets with tranquilliser and provided them to minors at a summer camp in Leicestershire has admitted sexual crimes against two boys who were nine and ten years old.
The defendant was arrested after eight children and a grown-up became sick at the location in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he was present at the judicial center on Friday.
However, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was remanded in custody prior to a subsequent court date on November 28th.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, outlined the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She said his victims were under-privileged children who were staying at a summer program which he ran.
Ruben conducted a "candy game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel said, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to eat sweets "rapidly".
She informed the proceedings the man had engaged in this activity with the boys "over an extended period", and youngsters had previously become sick the next day.
She said the man had been capable of justifying this for many years as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had concerns in summer 2025.
The prosecutor stated further: "This year his stepson had concerns about the situation, with valid cause.
"They resolved" to have a look in the individual's items."
The prosecutor explained materials including infant oil, petroleum jelly and medical needles were located, and his family member alerted the police about his concerns.
She said the defendant proceeded to play the "treat game" with six children that evening - July 26th - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that point," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the incident.
The prosecutor explained the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so the family member contacted the authorities once more.
She said Ruben then conducted the "candy game" in a room of five minors.
