An individual who laced treats with sedative and gave them to youngsters at a summer camp in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual offences against two boys who were between nine and ten.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight minors and one adult experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in July.
The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
Yet, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
The accused was kept in jail before a further hearing on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
The prosecutor, handling the case, detailed the defendant's actions to the court.
She explained his victims were under-privileged children who were attending a youth camp which he ran.
Ruben played a "treat game" with the minors, the prosecutor stated, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to eat sweets "rapidly".
She told the court Ruben had played this game with the young males "over an extended period", and children had previously fallen ill the next day.
She said the man had been able to explain this for many years as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had concerns in summer 2025.
The legal representative added: "This year his stepson had suspicions about what was going on, for good reason.
"They chose" to have a look in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel stated materials including lubricant, Vaseline and injection devices were located, and his family member alerted the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She explained the man proceeded to play the "candy game" with six boys that time - July 26th - and they were everyone unwell the next day.
"The police had not arrived by that point," she stated further.
The oversight body, the investigative body, had stated that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.
Mrs Prior stated the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson notified the police once more.
She said the defendant then played the "treat game" in a area of five youngsters.
