An individual who laced candy with tranquilliser and distributed them to children at a youth camp in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two young males who were nine and ten years old.
The accused was arrested after eight youngsters and a grown-up experienced illness at the facility in July.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, admitted guilt to a total of 17 charges when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
However, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was involving a young boy.
Ruben was remanded in custody prior to a further hearing on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
The prosecutor, presenting evidence, detailed Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She explained his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a summer program which he managed.
The defendant engaged in a "treat game" with the minors, the legal counsel stated, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to ingest treats "as fast as possible".
She told the court the defendant had conducted this practice with the boys "repeatedly", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She explained the defendant had been able to explain this for many years as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had suspicions in summer 2025.
The prosecutor stated further: "This year his family member had worries about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They decided to have a look in the individual's items."
Mrs Prior KC stated objects including baby oil, ointment and medical needles were located, and his stepchild alerted the authorities about his suspicions.
She stated the defendant went on to conduct the "treat game" with six boys that time - July 26th - and they were all sick the next day.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that stage," she added.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.
Mrs Prior said the minors were struggling to walk due to being ill, so the family member called the police once more.
She said the defendant then conducted the "sweet game" in a room of five youngsters.
