An individual who contaminated candy with sedative and provided them to minors at a summer program in Leicestershire has admitted sexual offences against two young males who were nine and ten years old.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight minors and one adult fell ill at Stathern Lodge in July.
The elderly man, from that region, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at the judicial center on Friday.
However, he disputed one particular crime he was accused of, which was concerning a young boy.
The defendant was held in detention ahead of a further hearing on 28 November.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, described the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She said his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a youth camp which he operated.
The defendant played a "sweet game" with the minors, the prosecutor explained, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and request they to ingest treats "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge Ruben had played this game with the young males "over an extended period", and children had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She said Ruben had been capable of justifying this for many years as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had worries in summer 2025.
The legal representative added: "Recently" his family member had concerns about the situation, for good reason.
"They decided to examine in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel explained objects including baby oil, petroleum jelly and injection devices were discovered, and his stepson alerted the law enforcement about his concerns.
She explained the man went on to conduct the "sweet game" with six children that time - that Saturday - and they were all ill the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that point," she added.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was examining the police response of the events.
Mrs Prior stated the minors were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so the stepson contacted the authorities once more.
She said Ruben then conducted the "candy game" in a area of five children.
