A person who laced candy with tranquilliser and distributed them to children at a summer program in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual offenses against two young males who were between nine and ten.
The accused was taken into custody after eight children and one adult experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in July.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at the courthouse on recently.
Yet, he denied one particular crime he was facing, which was concerning a young boy.
The defendant was held in detention prior to a subsequent court date on late November.
'Treat game'
The prosecutor, prosecuting, detailed Ruben's offending to the court.
She said his victims were under-privileged children who were staying at a summer camp which he managed.
The defendant engaged in a "treat game" with the children, the prosecutor explained, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She told the court the man had conducted this practice with the children "for many years", and children had previously become sick the following morning.
She explained the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had suspicions in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "In the summer" his stepson had worries about what was going on, for good reason.
"They chose" to investigate in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC said items including baby oil, ointment and medical needles were located, and his family member alerted the law enforcement about his worries.
She stated Ruben went on to engage in the "sweet game" with six youngsters that night - July 26th - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"The police had not arrived by that point," she continued.
The oversight body, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was investigating the police response of the situation.
The legal representative said the youngsters were struggling to walk due to their condition, so the stepson notified the authorities once more.
She explained the defendant then conducted the "sweet game" in a room of five minors.
