A person who spiked candy with tranquilliser and provided them to minors at a summer program in Leicestershire has admitted sexual crimes against two boys aged nine and 10.
The defendant was detained after eight youngsters and one adult became sick at the facility in July.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at the courthouse on Friday.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was against a nine-year-old child.
The accused was kept in jail before a subsequent court date on late November.
'Treat game'
The prosecutor, handling the case, described Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She said his those affected were under-privileged children who were staying at a youth camp which he operated.
Ruben engaged in a "treat game" with the children, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and ask them to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had engaged in this activity with the children "over an extended period", and minors had previously become sick the following morning.
She said Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had suspicions in summer 2025.
The prosecutor stated further: "This year his family member had suspicions about the situation, with valid cause.
"They decided to investigate in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel stated objects including lubricant, Vaseline and injection devices were discovered, and his stepchild notified the police about his concerns.
She said the defendant proceeded to play the "candy game" with six children that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that stage," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the police conduct office, previously told that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the incident.
The prosecutor said the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so the stepson notified the authorities once more.
She explained Ruben then played the "sweet game" in a room of five youngsters.
