A man who laced candy with tranquilliser and distributed them to minors at a youth camp in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two boys both between nine and ten.
The accused was arrested after eight children and a grown-up fell ill at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he stood at the judicial center on recently.
However, he denied one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was concerning a young boy.
Ruben was held in detention prior to a subsequent court date on November 28th.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, presenting evidence, detailed the criminal behavior to the court.
She said his victims were under-privileged children who were staying at a summer program which he managed.
The defendant conducted a "candy game" with the children, the legal counsel explained, in which he would go into the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge the defendant had played this game with the children "for many years", and youngsters had previously become sick the next day.
She stated the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had suspicions in summer 2025.
The legal representative added: "This year his stepchild had concerns about the activities, for good reason.
"They resolved" to have a look in the individual's items."
The prosecutor stated items including lubricant, ointment and injection devices were discovered, and his family member notified the authorities about his concerns.
She stated the man went on to play the "candy game" with six children that evening - July 26th - and they were all sick the next day.
"The police had not arrived by that point," she added.
The regulatory agency, the police conduct office, had stated that it was investigating the police response of the incident.
The legal representative explained the children were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so the stepson contacted the police once more.
She explained the man then played the "candy game" in a room of five children.
