A man who spiked candy with tranquilliser and provided them to minors at a youth camp in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two children who were nine and ten years old.
The accused was arrested after eight minors and a grown-up fell ill at the facility in July.
The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he was present at the courthouse on recently.
Yet, he disputed one particular crime he was charged with, which was involving a young boy.
The accused was held in detention ahead of a further hearing on late November.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, detailed Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She said his victims were under-privileged children who were attending a summer program which he ran.
The defendant engaged in a "candy game" with the children, the prosecutor said, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She informed the proceedings the defendant had played this game with the boys "over an extended period", and minors had previously become sick the next day.
She said Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had suspicions in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "Recently" his family member had concerns about the situation, for good reason.
"They resolved" to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel stated materials including baby oil, Vaseline and medical needles were discovered, and his family member alerted the authorities about his worries.
She stated Ruben continued to conduct the "candy game" with six youngsters that night - July 26th - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that time," she added.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, had stated that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the situation.
The prosecutor explained the children were struggling to walk due to being ill, so the family member notified the law enforcement once more.
She stated Ruben then conducted the "candy game" in a space of five minors.
