A man who spiked sweets with tranquilliser and gave them to minors at a summer camp in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual crimes against two young males both between nine and ten.
The accused was taken into custody after eight youngsters and an older person experienced illness at the facility in July.
The elderly man, from that region, admitted guilt to a total of 17 charges when he stood at the courthouse on Friday.
However, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was involving a nine-year-old boy.
Ruben was kept in jail prior to a additional proceeding on 28 November.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, detailed the criminal behavior to the judicial body.
She said his those affected were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a youth camp which he managed.
Ruben engaged in a "treat game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and request they to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".
She told the court the man had engaged in this activity with the children "over an extended period", and children had previously become sick the next day.
She said the defendant had been able to explain this repeatedly as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had worries in summer 2025.
The prosecutor added: "Recently" his stepson had worries about the situation, justifiably.
"They chose" to examine in the man's possessions."
The prosecutor stated materials including baby oil, petroleum jelly and injection devices were found, and his stepchild contacted the authorities about his worries.
She explained the man continued to play the "treat game" with six children that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the next day.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that time," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the situation.
The prosecutor explained the youngsters were struggling to walk due to being ill, so the family member notified the police a second time.
She stated the defendant then conducted the "sweet game" in a area of five minors.
