An individual who spiked candy with sleeping medication and distributed them to minors at a summer camp in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two boys who were between nine and ten.
The accused was taken into custody after eight children and an older person fell ill at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from that region, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he was present at the judicial center on recently.
Nevertheless, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was against a young boy.
Ruben was kept in jail before a further hearing on 28 November.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, detailed the criminal behavior to the judicial body.
She explained his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a youth camp which he operated.
The defendant played a "treat game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel said, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She informed the proceedings the defendant had conducted this practice with the boys "over an extended period", and minors had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She said Ruben had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had worries in July 2025.
The legal representative continued: "Recently" his stepson had concerns about the situation, justifiably.
"They decided to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor stated objects including lubricant, Vaseline and medical needles were located, and his stepchild notified the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She explained Ruben continued to engage in the "candy game" with six children that night - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that point," she added.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was reviewing the police response of the incident.
The legal representative explained the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so the stepson notified the police a second time.
She stated Ruben then conducted the "treat game" in a room of five children.
