A man who laced treats with sleeping medication and provided them to children at a summer program in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two boys aged between nine and ten.
The defendant was detained after eight youngsters and one adult fell ill at the location in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he stood at the judicial center on Friday.
Yet, he denied a single sexual charge he was facing, which was concerning a young boy.
The defendant was kept in jail ahead of a further hearing on late November.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, outlined the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She explained his victims were under-privileged children who were participating in a summer camp which he operated.
Ruben played a "sweet game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel explained, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to ingest treats "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge the man had conducted this practice with the young males "over an extended period", and children had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She explained Ruben had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepchild had concerns in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "Recently" his stepson had worries about the activities, with valid cause.
"They chose" to investigate in the individual's items."
The legal counsel explained materials including lubricant, ointment and medical needles were discovered, and his stepson alerted the authorities about his suspicions.
She stated the defendant went on to engage in the "treat game" with six youngsters that time - that Saturday - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that time," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, had stated that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the incident.
The prosecutor said the minors were struggling to walk due to being ill, so the stepson contacted the law enforcement a second time.
She explained the man then played the "sweet game" in a space of five minors.
