A man who spiked candy with sleeping medication and provided them to minors at a summer camp in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual crimes against two young males who were nine and 10.
The accused was taken into custody after eight youngsters and a grown-up became sick at the location in July.
The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
However, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was concerning a young boy.
The accused was kept in jail prior to a additional proceeding on late November.
'Sweet game'
The legal representative, handling the case, described Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She explained his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a summer program which he managed.
Ruben conducted a "treat game" with the children, the legal counsel said, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were getting ready for bed and request they to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She told the court the defendant had played this game with the children "over an extended period", and children had previously become sick the subsequent day.
She said Ruben had been capable of justifying this for many years as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had worries in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC added: "In the summer" his stepchild had worries about the activities, justifiably.
"They resolved" to investigate in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC said items including baby oil, Vaseline and injection devices were located, and his family member alerted the police about his concerns.
She said Ruben went on to conduct the "treat game" with six children that night - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the next day.
"The police had not responded by that point," she continued.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was examining the police response of the incident.
The legal representative explained the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so the stepson contacted the authorities once more.
She stated the defendant then conducted the "candy game" in a area of five minors.
