An individual who laced candy with tranquilliser and distributed them to youngsters at a youth camp in Leicestershire has admitted sexual crimes against two boys both between nine and ten.
The defendant was arrested after eight youngsters and an older person became sick at Stathern Lodge in July.
The elderly man, from that region, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit one particular crime he was charged with, which was against a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was kept in jail ahead of a subsequent court date on late November.
'Treat game'
The prosecutor, presenting evidence, outlined Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She said his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a summer program which he operated.
Ruben played a "sweet game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel stated, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and tell them to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She informed the proceedings the man had played this game with the boys "over an extended period", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She explained the man had been able to explain this for many years as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had suspicions in summer 2025.
The prosecutor stated further: "This year his family member had suspicions about the situation, with valid cause.
"They chose" to investigate in the individual's items."
The prosecutor said items including baby oil, Vaseline and syringes were discovered, and his stepchild alerted the authorities about his concerns.
She stated the defendant proceeded to play the "treat game" with six youngsters that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that point," she added.
The regulatory agency, the police conduct office, had stated that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
The prosecutor stated the minors were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson notified the law enforcement again.
She stated the defendant then played the "candy game" in a room of five children.
