A person who spiked treats with sleeping medication and distributed them to minors at a summer camp in Leicestershire has admitted sexual crimes against two young males aged between nine and ten.
The accused was arrested after eight youngsters and one adult fell ill at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he was present at the courthouse on recently.
Nevertheless, he disputed a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was concerning a young boy.
The accused was remanded in custody before a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Treat game'
The prosecutor, prosecuting, detailed Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She said his targets were under-privileged children who were staying at a summer program which he managed.
The man engaged in a "sweet game" with the children, the prosecutor stated, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and request they to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge the man had played this game with the children "over an extended period", and children had previously become sick the following morning.
She explained Ruben had been capable of justifying this for many years as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had worries in July 2025.
The prosecutor added: "This year his stepchild had suspicions about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They chose" to have a look in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel stated objects including baby oil, petroleum jelly and syringes were found, and his stepson alerted the police about his concerns.
She explained the man proceeded to conduct the "treat game" with six boys that night - that Saturday - and they were all ill the next day.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that time," she continued.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the situation.
The prosecutor stated the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson notified the police again.
She stated the defendant then played the "sweet game" in a area of five children.
