An individual who laced sweets with sedative and distributed them to children at a summer program in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two children aged nine and 10.
The defendant was arrested after eight youngsters and one adult became sick at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he was present at the courthouse on the end of the week.
Yet, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was against a young boy.
The accused was kept in jail before a additional proceeding on November 28th.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, described Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She stated his those affected were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a summer camp which he managed.
The man conducted a "treat game" with the children, the legal counsel explained, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and request they to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She told the court Ruben had played this game with the children "repeatedly", and youngsters had previously become sick the following morning.
She explained Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepchild had concerns in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "Recently" his stepchild had suspicions about the activities, for good reason.
"They resolved" to examine in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC said materials including infant oil, Vaseline and syringes were found, and his stepson alerted the authorities about his worries.
She said the man proceeded to play the "treat game" with six children that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that stage," she continued.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was examining law enforcement's management of the situation.
The legal representative said the children were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson contacted the law enforcement once more.
She explained Ruben then played the "sweet game" in a space of five youngsters.
