A person who spiked treats with sleeping medication and provided them to youngsters at a youth camp in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two children both nine and ten years old.
The accused was taken into custody after eight minors and an older person became sick at the facility in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
Nevertheless, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was kept in jail prior to a subsequent court date on late November.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, outlined the defendant's actions to the court.
She explained his those affected were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a youth camp which he ran.
Ruben conducted a "sweet game" with the minors, the prosecutor said, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were getting ready for bed and request they to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She told the court Ruben had played this game with the children "for many years", and youngsters had previously become sick the next day.
She said the man had been able to explain this repeatedly as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had concerns in July 2025.
The legal representative continued: "In the summer" his stepchild had worries about the activities, for good reason.
"They resolved" to have a look in the individual's items."
The prosecutor explained objects including baby oil, petroleum jelly and medical needles were located, and his stepchild contacted the authorities about his worries.
She explained the defendant went on to engage in the "candy game" with six boys that night - that Saturday - and they were all ill the following morning.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that time," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the events.
The legal representative said the minors were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so the stepson contacted the law enforcement again.
She said the man then engaged in the "candy game" in a area of five children.
