A man who spiked sweets with tranquilliser and gave them to minors at a summer camp in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two children aged between nine and ten.
The defendant was detained after eight youngsters and one adult experienced illness at the location in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
Yet, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
The accused was kept in jail prior to a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, outlined Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She said his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a summer program which he operated.
Ruben conducted a "candy game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel explained, in which he would go into the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and tell them to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had played this game with the children "repeatedly", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She explained the man had been capable of justifying this repeatedly as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had worries in summer 2025.
The prosecutor stated further: "Recently" his stepson had worries about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They chose" to have a look in the individual's items."
The prosecutor said items including infant oil, ointment and syringes were discovered, and his stepson notified the law enforcement about his concerns.
She said Ruben proceeded to engage in the "candy game" with six youngsters that time - July 26th - and they were all ill the subsequent day.
"The police had not gone out by that time," she continued.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.
The legal representative explained the minors were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson called the authorities again.
She explained the defendant then conducted the "treat game" in a room of five children.
