A man who spiked sweets with tranquilliser and gave them to youngsters at a summer program in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two boys who were between nine and ten.
The accused was arrested after eight minors and an older person fell ill at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at the courthouse on Friday.
However, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was against a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was remanded in custody prior to a further hearing on late November.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, described the criminal behavior to the judicial body.
She stated his victims were under-privileged children who were participating in a summer camp which he managed.
The defendant engaged in a "candy game" with the children, the legal counsel stated, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and request they to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She told the court the defendant had conducted this practice with the children "over an extended period", and children had previously become sick the subsequent day.
She said the defendant had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had suspicions in summer 2025.
The legal representative stated further: "In the summer" his stepson had suspicions about the activities, justifiably.
"They chose" to have a look in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC said objects including baby oil, Vaseline and medical needles were located, and his stepson alerted the authorities about his concerns.
She said Ruben proceeded to engage in the "sweet game" with six youngsters that night - July 26th - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"The police had not gone out by that time," she continued.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, had stated that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the situation.
The prosecutor stated the children were struggling to walk due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson notified the police once more.
She explained Ruben then engaged in the "sweet game" in a space of five children.
