A man who spiked candy with sleeping medication and gave them to children at a summer program in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two children aged nine and ten years old.
The accused was arrested after eight youngsters and a grown-up became sick at Stathern Lodge in July.
The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a multiple criminal counts when he stood at the judicial center on the end of the week.
Yet, he disputed one particular crime he was accused of, which was against a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was kept in jail prior to a additional proceeding on November 28th.
'Sweet game'
The legal representative, prosecuting, detailed the criminal behavior to the court.
She said his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a youth camp which he ran.
The defendant conducted a "treat game" with the minors, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge the defendant had conducted this practice with the young males "repeatedly", and children had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She said Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had concerns in July 2025.
The prosecutor stated further: "This year his family member had concerns about the activities, for good reason.
"They decided to examine in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel said objects including lubricant, ointment and medical needles were located, and his family member alerted the police about his suspicions.
She explained the man proceeded to conduct the "sweet game" with six children that night - July 26th - and they were all sick the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that time," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was examining law enforcement's management of the incident.
The legal representative stated the children were struggling to walk due to their condition, so the stepson contacted the law enforcement again.
She explained the defendant then conducted the "treat game" in a room of five youngsters.
