A man who laced treats with sedative and gave them to minors at a summer program in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two boys both nine and 10.
The accused was arrested after eight minors and a grown-up became sick at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.
The senior citizen, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he stood at the courthouse on the end of the week.
However, he denied a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
Ruben was kept in jail before a subsequent court date on November 28th.
'Candy game'
The legal representative, handling the case, described the criminal behavior to the court.
She stated his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a youth camp which he operated.
The man conducted a "treat game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel explained, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to eat sweets "rapidly".
She told the court the defendant had played this game with the young males "repeatedly", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She said Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had concerns in July 2025.
The legal representative added: "In the summer" his stepson had worries about the activities, with valid cause.
"They decided to examine in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC said objects including lubricant, Vaseline and syringes were found, and his family member notified the police about his concerns.
She stated Ruben proceeded to conduct the "sweet game" with six children that time - that Saturday - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that point," she stated further.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was investigating the police response of the incident.
The prosecutor explained the children were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so the stepson notified the police a second time.
She said the man then engaged in the "candy game" in a space of five youngsters.
