An individual who contaminated candy with tranquilliser and provided them to minors at a summer camp in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two young males aged between nine and ten.
The defendant was arrested after eight children and one adult fell ill at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
Nevertheless, he denied one particular crime he was facing, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was remanded in custody ahead of a further hearing on 28 November.
'Treat game'
The prosecutor, handling the case, described the criminal behavior to the court.
She said his victims were under-privileged children who were participating in a youth camp which he managed.
Ruben played a "treat game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor said, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and ask them to ingest treats "rapidly".
She told the court Ruben had conducted this practice with the boys "repeatedly", and minors had previously become sick the subsequent day.
She explained the man had been able to explain this repeatedly as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had suspicions in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "Recently" his stepson had worries about the activities, with valid cause.
"They resolved" to examine in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel stated items including lubricant, petroleum jelly and injection devices were located, and his family member contacted the law enforcement about his concerns.
She said the man continued to engage in the "treat game" with six boys that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the following morning.
"The police had not responded by that time," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the situation.
The legal representative stated the children were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so the stepson called the police again.
She stated Ruben then played the "treat game" in a area of five youngsters.
