A man who laced sweets with sleeping medication and gave them to minors at a summer camp in Leicestershire has admitted sexual crimes against two children who were nine and ten years old.
The accused was taken into custody after eight minors and one adult fell ill at Stathern Lodge in July.
The 76-year-old, from that region, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
Yet, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was against a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was held in detention prior to a additional proceeding on 28 November.
'Candy game'
The legal representative, prosecuting, detailed Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She stated his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a youth camp which he managed.
The man played a "candy game" with the minors, the prosecutor stated, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to ingest treats "rapidly".
She informed the proceedings the man had played this game with the boys "over an extended period", and youngsters had previously become sick the next day.
She stated the man had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had concerns in summer 2025.
The legal representative stated further: "In the summer" his stepson had worries about the activities, justifiably.
"They chose" to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel explained objects including infant oil, ointment and injection devices were discovered, and his family member contacted the police about his worries.
She stated the man proceeded to play the "treat game" with six boys that time - July 26th - and they were all ill the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that time," she added.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the situation.
The legal representative said the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson contacted the police once more.
She stated the defendant then conducted the "treat game" in a room of five children.
