An individual who spiked sweets with sleeping medication and distributed them to minors at a youth camp in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual offences against two children who were nine and ten years old.
The accused was taken into custody after eight youngsters and one adult became sick at the facility in July.
The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he was present at the courthouse on Friday.
Yet, he denied one particular crime he was charged with, which was involving a young boy.
The accused was held in detention before a further hearing on 28 November.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, detailed Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She said his victims were under-privileged children who were participating in a summer camp which he managed.
The defendant played a "treat game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor explained, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were settling down and tell them to ingest treats "as fast as possible".
She informed the proceedings the defendant had conducted this practice with the boys "over an extended period", and minors had previously become sick the following morning.
She stated Ruben had been able to explain this for many years as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had worries in summer 2025.
The prosecutor continued: "This year his family member had concerns about the situation, with valid cause.
"They chose" to have a look in the individual's items."
The legal counsel stated items including baby oil, Vaseline and injection devices were discovered, and his stepson notified the law enforcement about his concerns.
She explained the defendant proceeded to play the "treat game" with six boys that evening - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"The police had not arrived by that time," she continued.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was examining Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
The legal representative stated the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so the family member called the law enforcement once more.
She stated the man then conducted the "treat game" in a space of five children.
