A person who spiked candy with tranquilliser and gave them to children at a summer camp in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual crimes against two children who were nine and ten years old.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight children and a grown-up experienced illness at the facility in July.
The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at the judicial center on Friday.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit one particular crime he was facing, which was involving a young boy.
The accused was held in detention ahead of a additional proceeding on late November.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, detailed the criminal behavior to the court.
She explained his victims were under-privileged children who were staying at a youth camp which he ran.
The defendant played a "candy game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge Ruben had conducted this practice with the young males "for many years", and children had previously become sick the next day.
She said Ruben had been able to explain this for many years as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had concerns in July 2025.
The legal representative added: "In the summer" his stepchild had worries about what was going on, for good reason.
"They resolved" to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor stated objects including infant oil, petroleum jelly and medical needles were found, and his family member notified the law enforcement about his concerns.
She stated Ruben continued to conduct the "sweet game" with six children that night - July 26th - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"The police had not responded by that time," she added.
The oversight body, the investigative body, had stated that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.
Mrs Prior said the children were struggling to walk due to being ill, so the family member called the law enforcement a second time.
She said Ruben then played the "treat game" in a room of five youngsters.
