An individual who laced candy with tranquilliser and distributed them to children at a summer camp in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two children both nine and ten years old.
The accused was taken into custody after eight children and a grown-up became sick at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.
The elderly man, from that region, admitted guilt to a total of 17 charges when he was present at the courthouse on Friday.
Yet, he disputed one particular crime he was charged with, which was against a young boy.
Ruben was kept in jail prior to a subsequent court date on November 28th.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, detailed the defendant's actions to the court.
She said his those affected were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a youth camp which he ran.
Ruben engaged in a "candy game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to consume candy "rapidly".
She told the court the defendant had conducted this practice with the children "repeatedly", and minors had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She stated the defendant had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had suspicions in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "In the summer" his stepson had suspicions about what was going on, for good reason.
"They decided to investigate in the individual's items."
Mrs Prior KC stated items including lubricant, petroleum jelly and medical needles were found, and his family member alerted the authorities about his worries.
She explained the man went on to engage in the "candy game" with six youngsters that time - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the next day.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that time," she added.
The oversight body, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was examining law enforcement's management of the incident.
Mrs Prior stated the youngsters were struggling to walk due to their condition, so the family member contacted the law enforcement again.
She explained the defendant then played the "treat game" in a room of five minors.
