A man who laced treats with sedative and gave them to minors at a summer program in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two boys aged nine and ten years old.
The accused was detained after eight minors and one adult experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from that region, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
However, he denied one particular crime he was facing, which was against a young boy.
Ruben was remanded in custody ahead of a further hearing on November 28th.
'Candy game'
The legal representative, presenting evidence, detailed the criminal behavior to the court.
She said his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a summer camp which he ran.
The man played a "treat game" with the children, the prosecutor stated, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to eat sweets "rapidly".
She informed the proceedings the man had engaged in this activity with the children "over an extended period", and youngsters had previously become sick the following morning.
She stated Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepchild had suspicions in July 2025.
The prosecutor added: "Recently" his stepson had worries about the situation, for good reason.
"They chose" to have a look in the individual's items."
The legal counsel explained objects including infant oil, petroleum jelly and injection devices were found, and his stepchild notified the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She said the man continued to play the "sweet game" with six boys that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"The police had not responded by that time," she added.
The oversight body, the investigative body, previously told that it was reviewing the police response of the situation.
Mrs Prior said the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson contacted the authorities a second time.
She stated the man then conducted the "candy game" in a space of five minors.
