A man who spiked sweets with sleeping medication and distributed them to youngsters at a summer program in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two boys both between nine and ten.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight minors and one adult fell ill at Stathern Lodge in July.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, admitted guilt to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at the courthouse on Friday.
Yet, he denied one particular crime he was charged with, which was against a nine-year-old boy.
Ruben was kept in jail before a additional proceeding on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
The prosecutor, prosecuting, detailed the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She said his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a summer camp which he operated.
Ruben played a "treat game" with the children, the legal counsel explained, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to ingest treats "as fast as possible".
She told the court Ruben had engaged in this activity with the children "for many years", and youngsters had previously become sick the following morning.
She said Ruben had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had suspicions in summer 2025.
The legal representative continued: "This year his stepchild had worries about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They decided to examine in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC said objects including infant oil, petroleum jelly and medical needles were found, and his stepchild contacted the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She stated the defendant continued to conduct the "sweet game" with six children that night - July 26th - and they were all ill the subsequent day.
"The police had not responded by that time," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, had stated that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the events.
The prosecutor explained the children were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson called the law enforcement once more.
She said the man then conducted the "sweet game" in a room of five minors.
