A person who spiked sweets with sleeping medication and gave them to children at a summer program in Leicestershire has admitted sexual crimes against two boys aged between nine and ten.
The accused was taken into custody after eight minors and a grown-up experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from that region, admitted guilt to a multiple criminal counts when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was facing, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was kept in jail ahead of a further hearing on November 28th.
'Sweet game'
The legal representative, prosecuting, described Ruben's offending to the court.
She stated his victims were under-privileged children who were staying at a summer camp which he operated.
Ruben played a "sweet game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She told the court the man had engaged in this activity with the young males "repeatedly", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She explained the man had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had suspicions in July 2025.
The prosecutor stated further: "This year his family member had concerns about the situation, for good reason.
"They chose" to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC stated objects including infant oil, ointment and medical needles were found, and his stepson alerted the authorities about his concerns.
She stated Ruben went on to play the "sweet game" with six youngsters that night - that Saturday - and they were all sick the following morning.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that stage," she added.
The police watchdog, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the events.
Mrs Prior explained the minors were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so the family member contacted the authorities once more.
She said the man then conducted the "sweet game" in a space of five minors.
