A person who spiked candy with sleeping medication and gave them to children at a summer camp in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two children aged nine and ten years old.
The accused was arrested after eight minors and a grown-up experienced illness at the facility in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he stood at the courthouse on the end of the week.
Nevertheless, he denied a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was remanded in custody prior to a further hearing on 28 November.
'Candy game'
The prosecutor, presenting evidence, described the defendant's actions to the legal proceedings.
She stated his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a summer program which he ran.
Ruben engaged in a "candy game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel explained, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and request they to consume candy "rapidly".
She informed the proceedings the man had engaged in this activity with the young males "over an extended period", and youngsters had previously become sick the following morning.
She stated the man had been able to explain this over a long period as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had worries in summer 2025.
The legal representative continued: "In the summer" his family member had suspicions about the situation, justifiably.
"They resolved" to have a look in the individual's items."
Mrs Prior KC said items including infant oil, ointment and injection devices were found, and his stepson alerted the police about his worries.
She said Ruben continued to play the "treat game" with six boys that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"The police had not responded by that point," she continued.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was examining the police response of the situation.
The prosecutor said the minors were struggling to walk due to their condition, so the stepson notified the police once more.
She said the defendant then played the "sweet game" in a space of five minors.
