An individual who contaminated treats with tranquilliser and gave them to minors at a youth camp in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two young males aged between nine and ten.
The defendant was detained after eight youngsters and one adult became sick at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.
The elderly man, from that region, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at the courthouse on Friday.
Yet, he disputed a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was concerning a young boy.
The accused was kept in jail prior to a further hearing on late November.
'Candy game'
The prosecutor, prosecuting, described Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She said his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were participating in a summer program which he managed.
Ruben played a "treat game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel said, in which he would go into the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge Ruben had played this game with the boys "over an extended period", and children had previously become sick the following morning.
She explained the man had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had suspicions in summer 2025.
The legal representative continued: "Recently" his stepchild had concerns about the situation, for good reason.
"They resolved" to have a look in the man's possessions."
The prosecutor said materials including infant oil, Vaseline and syringes were discovered, and his stepchild notified the authorities about his worries.
She explained Ruben continued to conduct the "treat game" with six youngsters that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the following morning.
"The police had not gone out by that point," she stated further.
The oversight body, the investigative body, previously told that it was investigating the police response of the events.
The prosecutor said the minors were struggling to walk due to their condition, so the stepson called the authorities again.
She explained the man then conducted the "treat game" in a room of five minors.
