A person who laced treats with sleeping medication and distributed them to minors at a summer camp in Leicestershire has admitted sexual crimes against two children who were between nine and ten.
The defendant was arrested after eight children and a grown-up became sick at the facility in July.
The senior citizen, from that region, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at the judicial center on Friday.
However, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was facing, which was involving a young boy.
Ruben was held in detention before a additional proceeding on 28 November.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, detailed the criminal behavior to the court.
She stated his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a youth camp which he operated.
The defendant conducted a "sweet game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor said, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and request they to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had conducted this practice with the young males "for many years", and children had previously become sick the following morning.
She stated the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had suspicions in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC added: "In the summer" his family member had suspicions about what was going on, for good reason.
"They decided to have a look in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel said materials including baby oil, Vaseline and syringes were located, and his stepson alerted the police about his worries.
She said the defendant proceeded to engage in the "candy game" with six children that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the next day.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that stage," she continued.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was examining Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.
The prosecutor stated the children were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson called the police again.
She said the defendant then played the "candy game" in a room of five minors.
