An individual who laced candy with sedative and distributed them to minors at a summer program in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two young males aged nine and ten years old.
The accused was detained after eight children and one adult became sick at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.
The elderly man, from that region, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at the courthouse on recently.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit one particular crime he was accused of, which was concerning a young boy.
The accused was kept in jail ahead of a additional proceeding on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
The legal representative, prosecuting, outlined Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She stated his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a summer program which he managed.
The man engaged in a "treat game" with the children, Mrs Prior said, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to ingest treats "as fast as possible".
She told the court the defendant had engaged in this activity with the young males "repeatedly", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She stated Ruben had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had suspicions in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC added: "This year his stepchild had concerns about what was going on, justifiably.
"They resolved" to examine in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel explained materials including lubricant, petroleum jelly and syringes were located, and his stepchild notified the law enforcement about his worries.
She said Ruben proceeded to play the "candy game" with six children that night - that Saturday - and they were all sick the next day.
"The police had not responded by that time," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the police conduct office, previously told that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the events.
The prosecutor said the children were struggling to walk due to their condition, so the family member notified the authorities a second time.
She said Ruben then engaged in the "candy game" in a space of five youngsters.
