A man who spiked treats with sedative and gave them to minors at a summer program in Leicestershire has admitted sexual offences against two boys aged between nine and ten.
The accused was taken into custody after eight children and one adult experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in July.
The senior citizen, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at the courthouse on the end of the week.
However, he refused to admit one particular crime he was charged with, which was involving a young boy.
The accused was held in detention prior to a additional proceeding on late November.
'Candy game'
The prosecutor, presenting evidence, outlined the criminal behavior to the judicial body.
She stated his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a youth camp which he operated.
The man conducted a "treat game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior said, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She told the court the man had played this game with the boys "for many years", and minors had previously become sick the subsequent day.
She stated the man had been capable of justifying this for many years as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had suspicions in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC added: "This year his stepchild had suspicions about the situation, with valid cause.
"They resolved" to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor said items including infant oil, Vaseline and injection devices were found, and his stepchild notified the authorities about his concerns.
She stated Ruben proceeded to play the "sweet game" with six boys that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that time," she added.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the events.
Mrs Prior said the children were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so the family member called the law enforcement a second time.
She said the man then engaged in the "candy game" in a room of five children.
