A man who spiked sweets with sedative and distributed them to children at a summer camp in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual offences against two young males aged nine and 10.
The accused was arrested after eight children and an older person fell ill at the location in July.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he stood at the judicial center on the end of the week.
Yet, he denied one particular crime he was facing, which was involving a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was remanded in custody ahead of a subsequent court date on late November.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, described the criminal behavior to the judicial body.
She stated his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a youth camp which he operated.
The defendant conducted a "candy game" with the minors, the legal counsel explained, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and request they to ingest treats "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge the man had conducted this practice with the children "over an extended period", and minors had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She stated Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had suspicions in summer 2025.
The legal representative stated further: "In the summer" his family member had suspicions about the activities, justifiably.
"They decided to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel explained materials including lubricant, Vaseline and injection devices were found, and his stepchild contacted the law enforcement about his worries.
She explained Ruben proceeded to play the "treat game" with six boys that evening - July 26th - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that point," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the events.
Mrs Prior explained the minors were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so the stepson contacted the authorities once more.
She stated the defendant then played the "treat game" in a area of five minors.