A person who spiked candy with sedative and provided them to minors at a summer camp in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two young males who were nine and ten years old.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight minors and an older person became sick at Stathern Lodge in July.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at the judicial center on the end of the week.
Yet, he denied one particular crime he was facing, which was concerning a young boy.
The defendant was remanded in custody prior to a additional proceeding on late November.
'Sweet game'
The prosecutor, handling the case, detailed the criminal behavior to the judicial body.
She stated his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a youth camp which he managed.
The man played a "sweet game" with the minors, Mrs Prior said, in which he would go into the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge the defendant had engaged in this activity with the children "for many years", and children had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She said Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had suspicions in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC added: "Recently" his stepson had suspicions about what was going on, justifiably.
"They decided to investigate in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC stated materials including lubricant, ointment and medical needles were located, and his stepson contacted the police about his worries.
She said Ruben went on to engage in the "treat game" with six youngsters that night - July 26th - and they were all ill the subsequent day.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that stage," she added.
The oversight body, the police conduct office, had stated that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.
The prosecutor stated the children were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson notified the police a second time.
She said Ruben then played the "candy game" in a space of five children.
