A person who contaminated sweets with sleeping medication and gave them to minors at a summer program in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two boys both nine and ten years old.
The accused was arrested after eight youngsters and one adult fell ill at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from that region, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at the courthouse on the end of the week.
However, he disputed one particular crime he was charged with, which was against a nine-year-old boy.
The defendant was held in detention ahead of a additional proceeding on late November.
'Treat game'
The prosecutor, prosecuting, detailed the defendant's actions to the court.
She explained his those affected were disadvantaged youngsters who were participating in a summer camp which he managed.
Ruben engaged in a "candy game" with the minors, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were settling down and request they to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had conducted this practice with the young males "over an extended period", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the next day.
She stated Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had concerns in summer 2025.
The legal representative continued: "Recently" his stepson had suspicions about the activities, with valid cause.
"They decided to investigate in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC said objects including baby oil, Vaseline and injection devices were discovered, and his family member alerted the police about his worries.
She stated the man continued to conduct the "candy game" with six boys that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"The police had not responded by that stage," she added.
The oversight body, the police conduct office, had stated that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
Mrs Prior stated the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson contacted the authorities a second time.
She explained the man then played the "sweet game" in a room of five youngsters.
