A man who contaminated sweets with sleeping medication and gave them to children at a youth camp in Leicestershire has admitted sexual offences against two young males aged between nine and ten.
The accused was detained after eight minors and an older person fell ill at the facility in July.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
Yet, he denied one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was against a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was held in detention prior to a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Candy game'
The legal representative, presenting evidence, detailed the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She stated his those affected were disadvantaged youngsters who were staying at a youth camp which he ran.
The man played a "candy game" with the minors, the prosecutor stated, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She told the court the man had played this game with the boys "over an extended period", and children had previously become sick the following morning.
She stated Ruben had been capable of justifying this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepchild had suspicions in July 2025.
The legal representative stated further: "Recently" his family member had suspicions about the activities, justifiably.
"They decided to have a look in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC explained items including infant oil, ointment and medical needles were found, and his stepson notified the authorities about his suspicions.
She stated Ruben proceeded to engage in the "treat game" with six boys that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"Authorities" had not responded by that stage," she stated further.
The oversight body, the police conduct office, previously told that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the incident.
Mrs Prior said the children were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so the family member notified the law enforcement a second time.
She stated the defendant then conducted the "sweet game" in a room of five youngsters.
