A person who spiked candy with sleeping medication and gave them to minors at a summer camp in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual crimes against two boys who were between nine and ten.
The accused was arrested after eight youngsters and one adult fell ill at the location in July.
The 76-year-old, from that region, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he stood at the judicial center on Friday.
However, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was involving a nine-year-old boy.
The defendant was remanded in custody ahead of a additional proceeding on 28 November.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, described the defendant's actions to the court.
She stated his targets were under-privileged children who were staying at a summer program which he operated.
Ruben played a "treat game" with the children, the legal counsel said, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and request they to consume candy "rapidly".
She told the court the defendant had conducted this practice with the boys "for many years", and youngsters had previously become sick the subsequent day.
She explained Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had worries in summer 2025.
The prosecutor stated further: "In the summer" his stepson had worries about the activities, justifiably.
"They resolved" to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor said objects including lubricant, ointment and syringes were found, and his family member contacted the police about his concerns.
She said the man continued to engage in the "candy game" with six youngsters that night - July 26th - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that stage," she added.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was reviewing the police response of the events.
Mrs Prior stated the children were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so the family member contacted the law enforcement once more.
She explained the defendant then conducted the "candy game" in a area of five children.
