A man who laced treats with sleeping medication and provided them to youngsters at a summer program in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two boys aged nine and 10.
The accused was taken into custody after eight children and a grown-up fell ill at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from that region, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
However, he denied one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was kept in jail prior to a subsequent court date on late November.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, presenting evidence, detailed Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She said his those affected were under-privileged children who were participating in a youth camp which he managed.
The defendant played a "sweet game" with the minors, the legal counsel said, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had played this game with the young males "repeatedly", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She stated the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had suspicions in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "Recently" his family member had suspicions about the situation, for good reason.
"They resolved" to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel explained items including infant oil, ointment and injection devices were found, and his stepson contacted the authorities about his worries.
She explained the man continued to play the "candy game" with six youngsters that evening - July 26th - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"The police had not responded by that point," she continued.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was examining Leicestershire Police's handling of the events.
Mrs Prior stated the youngsters were struggling to walk due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson notified the police again.
She explained the defendant then conducted the "treat game" in a room of five youngsters.
