An individual who laced treats with sleeping medication and distributed them to minors at a youth camp in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two boys aged nine and ten years old.
The accused was taken into custody after eight minors and a grown-up became sick at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at the judicial center on recently.
Nevertheless, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
Ruben was kept in jail ahead of a further hearing on November 28th.
'Treat game'
The prosecutor, presenting evidence, outlined Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She stated his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were participating in a summer camp which he ran.
Ruben conducted a "treat game" with the minors, Mrs Prior said, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were getting ready for bed and request they to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".
She informed the proceedings the man had engaged in this activity with the children "for many years", and minors had previously become sick the next day.
She explained the man had been able to explain this for many years as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had suspicions in July 2025.
The legal representative continued: "In the summer" his stepchild had suspicions about what was going on, justifiably.
"They resolved" to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC explained materials including lubricant, Vaseline and syringes were discovered, and his stepchild notified the law enforcement about his concerns.
She stated Ruben continued to engage in the "candy game" with six youngsters that time - that Saturday - and they were all ill the next day.
"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that stage," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, previously told that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the events.
The legal representative said the minors were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so the family member called the police once more.
She said Ruben then played the "treat game" in a room of five children.
