A man who laced sweets with sleeping medication and distributed them to youngsters at a summer program in Leicestershire has admitted sexual offenses against two boys aged nine and ten years old.
The accused was taken into custody after eight children and one adult became sick at Stathern Lodge in July.
The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he was present at the judicial center on the end of the week.
Yet, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was involving a young boy.
The defendant was remanded in custody ahead of a further hearing on 28 November.
'Candy game'
The prosecutor, handling the case, detailed the criminal behavior to the court.
She said his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a youth camp which he ran.
The defendant played a "treat game" with the minors, the prosecutor explained, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to ingest treats "rapidly".
She told the court the defendant had engaged in this activity with the young males "over an extended period", and children had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She said Ruben had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepchild had suspicions in July 2025.
The prosecutor added: "In the summer" his stepson had concerns about what was going on, justifiably.
"They chose" to examine in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor explained items including lubricant, petroleum jelly and injection devices were found, and his stepson contacted the police about his concerns.
She stated the man went on to conduct the "candy game" with six boys that evening - July 26th - and they were all ill the subsequent day.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that point," she added.
The oversight body, the police conduct office, previously told that it was examining Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
The prosecutor stated the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so the stepson contacted the law enforcement once more.
She explained Ruben then engaged in the "sweet game" in a space of five youngsters.
