An individual who laced candy with sedative and gave them to minors at a youth camp in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two young males aged nine and 10.
The accused was taken into custody after eight children and one adult fell ill at the location in the summer month.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he was present at the courthouse on Friday.
Yet, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was against a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was kept in jail prior to a further hearing on November 28th.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, presenting evidence, described Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She said his victims were under-privileged children who were attending a summer camp which he managed.
The man engaged in a "treat game" with the minors, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and tell them to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She informed the proceedings the man had engaged in this activity with the young males "over an extended period", and minors had previously become sick the following morning.
She explained Ruben had been able to explain this repeatedly as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had suspicions in July 2025.
The legal representative continued: "In the summer" his family member had suspicions about what was going on, justifiably.
"They decided to have a look in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel said items including lubricant, petroleum jelly and medical needles were located, and his stepson notified the law enforcement about his concerns.
She said Ruben proceeded to engage in the "treat game" with six children that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that point," she continued.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, previously told that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the events.
The prosecutor said the minors were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson contacted the authorities a second time.
She said the defendant then engaged in the "candy game" in a room of five children.
