A man who spiked sweets with sleeping medication and gave them to children at a youth camp in Leicestershire has admitted sexual offenses against two boys who were between nine and ten.
The defendant was detained after eight minors and a grown-up became sick at the location in the summer month.
The senior citizen, from the Nottinghamshire area, admitted guilt to a total of 17 charges when he stood at the judicial center on Friday.
However, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was against a nine-year-old boy.
Ruben was held in detention prior to a further hearing on late November.
'Treat game'
The prosecutor, prosecuting, outlined Ruben's offending to the court.
She stated his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a youth camp which he managed.
The man engaged in a "treat game" with the minors, the prosecutor stated, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had played this game with the young males "over an extended period", and children had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She explained the man had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had concerns in July 2025.
The prosecutor continued: "This year his family member had suspicions about what was going on, for good reason.
"They decided to examine in the man's possessions."
The prosecutor stated items including infant oil, ointment and syringes were located, and his stepson contacted the police about his concerns.
She stated Ruben continued to engage in the "treat game" with six boys that time - July 26th - and they were everyone unwell the next day.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that stage," she added.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
The prosecutor stated the minors were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so the stepson notified the police again.
She said Ruben then engaged in the "treat game" in a room of five minors.
