A person who spiked treats with sleeping medication and gave them to minors at a summer camp in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual offenses against two children both nine and ten years old.
The defendant was detained after eight children and a grown-up fell ill at the location in the summer month.
The elderly man, 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.
Nevertheless, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was against a nine-year-old boy.
The defendant was remanded in custody ahead of a additional proceeding on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
The prosecutor, handling the case, described the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She said his those affected were under-privileged children who were participating in a youth camp which he managed.
Ruben conducted a "sweet game" with the minors, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and request they to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge the defendant had conducted this practice with the children "for many years", and children had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She said Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had worries in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "In the summer" his family member had worries about what was going on, justifiably.
"They chose" to examine in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel explained objects including infant oil, petroleum jelly and medical needles were discovered, and his family member alerted the authorities about his suspicions.
She said Ruben proceeded to conduct the "sweet game" with six boys that night - July 26th - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that point," she added.
The oversight body, the police conduct office, had stated that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the events.
The prosecutor explained the minors were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so the stepson called the law enforcement again.
She said the man then engaged in the "candy game" in a space of five minors.
