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An individual who contaminated sweets with sedative and provided them to children at a summer camp in Leicestershire has admitted sexual crimes against two boys both nine and 10.

The accused was taken into custody after eight minors and a grown-up became sick at the location in July.

The senior citizen, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.

However, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.

Ruben was kept in jail prior to a subsequent court date on 28 November.

'Treat game'

Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, outlined Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.

She explained his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a summer program which he managed.

Ruben engaged in a "sweet game" with the children, the prosecutor stated, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to consume candy "rapidly".

She told the court the man had conducted this practice with the boys "repeatedly", and children had earlier experienced illness the next day.

She stated Ruben had been able to explain this over a long period as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had concerns in summer 2025.

Mrs Prior KC stated further: "Recently" his stepchild had worries about the situation, justifiably.

"They decided to have a look in the man's possessions."

The legal counsel explained materials including baby oil, ointment and medical needles were discovered, and his stepchild notified the authorities about his concerns.

She said Ruben continued to play the "treat game" with six youngsters that evening - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.

"The police had not gone out by that point," she stated further.

The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was examining law enforcement's management of the incident.

The prosecutor stated the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson contacted the authorities a second time.

She said the man then conducted the "candy game" in a space of five youngsters.