A person who laced treats with sleeping medication and gave them to minors at a youth camp in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two young males who were nine and 10.
The defendant was arrested after eight minors and one adult fell ill at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he stood at the courthouse on recently.
However, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
The accused was kept in jail prior to a further hearing on November 28th.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, described Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She said his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a summer program which he ran.
The defendant engaged in a "treat game" with the children, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and request they to ingest treats "as fast as possible".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had played this game with the young males "repeatedly", and children had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She said the defendant had been able to explain this over a long period as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had suspicions in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "This year his stepson had concerns about the situation, justifiably.
"They decided to examine in the individual's items."
Mrs Prior KC said objects including baby oil, ointment and syringes were found, and his family member contacted the authorities about his suspicions.
She said the defendant proceeded to play the "sweet game" with six boys that night - July 26th - and they were all ill the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that time," she added.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, previously told that it was investigating the police response of the situation.
Mrs Prior said the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so the family member contacted the authorities once more.
She said Ruben then engaged in the "candy game" in a area of five minors.
