A man who spiked treats with sedative and gave them to minors at a youth camp in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two children aged between nine and ten.
The defendant was detained after eight minors and one adult became sick at the location in July.
The senior citizen, from that region, admitted guilt to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at the courthouse on the end of the week.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was concerning a young boy.
The accused was remanded in custody ahead of a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Candy game'
The prosecutor, prosecuting, described Ruben's offending to the court.
She stated his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a summer camp which he ran.
Ruben conducted a "treat game" with the minors, Mrs Prior said, in which he would go into the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and ask them to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge Ruben had conducted this practice with the young males "repeatedly", and minors had previously fallen ill the next day.
She said the defendant had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had worries in July 2025.
The prosecutor continued: "This year his family member had worries about the activities, with valid cause.
"They resolved" to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC said objects including infant oil, ointment and injection devices were discovered, and his stepchild alerted the police about his worries.
She explained the defendant continued to play the "candy game" with six boys that night - July 26th - and they were all ill the next day.
"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that time," she added.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was reviewing the police response of the events.
Mrs Prior explained the youngsters were struggling to walk due to their condition, so the stepson contacted the law enforcement once more.
She stated the man then conducted the "candy game" in a space of five minors.
