A person who contaminated sweets with tranquilliser and provided them to youngsters at a summer camp in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two young males who were between nine and ten.
The accused was detained after eight minors and an older person fell ill at the facility in the summer month.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a total of 17 charges when he was present at the judicial center on Friday.
Yet, he denied one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was against a young boy.
The defendant was kept in jail prior to a additional proceeding on 28 November.
'Treat game'
The prosecutor, handling the case, described the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She said his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a summer program which he operated.
Ruben engaged in a "treat game" with the minors, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to ingest treats "as fast as possible".
She told the court the man had conducted this practice with the children "for many years", and minors had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She explained the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had worries in July 2025.
The prosecutor continued: "This year his family member had suspicions about the situation, with valid cause.
"They chose" to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor said objects including baby oil, ointment and injection devices were discovered, and his family member notified the police about his worries.
She said Ruben continued to play the "sweet game" with six children that evening - that Saturday - and they were all sick the next day.
"The police had not arrived by that stage," she added.
The police watchdog, the police conduct office, had stated that it was investigating the police response of the incident.
The prosecutor explained the children were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson contacted the law enforcement again.
She said the man then played the "candy game" in a space of five minors.
