An individual who contaminated candy with tranquilliser and provided them to children at a summer program in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual offenses against two young males aged nine and ten years old.
The accused was arrested after eight youngsters and a grown-up fell ill at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The senior citizen, from that region, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he was present at the judicial center on the end of the week.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was facing, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
The accused was held in detention prior to a subsequent court date on late November.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, detailed the criminal behavior to the court.
She stated his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a youth camp which he ran.
The man conducted a "sweet game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to ingest treats "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge the man had conducted this practice with the boys "repeatedly", and children had previously become sick the following morning.
She explained Ruben had been capable of justifying this for many years as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had worries in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC added: "In the summer" his family member had suspicions about what was going on, justifiably.
"They chose" to have a look in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC said materials including lubricant, ointment and syringes were discovered, and his family member alerted the police about his suspicions.
She stated the defendant proceeded to engage in the "treat game" with six children that night - July 26th - and they were all sick the next day.
"Authorities" had not responded by that stage," she added.
The oversight body, the police conduct office, previously told that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.
The prosecutor said the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson called the authorities a second time.
She explained the defendant then conducted the "treat game" in a room of five children.
