A person who spiked treats with sedative and provided them to children at a summer program in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two children aged nine and ten years old.
The accused was detained after eight children and one adult fell ill at Stathern Lodge in July.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at the judicial center on recently.
However, he denied one particular crime he was facing, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was held in detention prior to a subsequent court date on late November.
'Candy game'
The legal representative, prosecuting, outlined Ruben's offending to the court.
She said his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a youth camp which he managed.
The defendant conducted a "sweet game" with the minors, the legal counsel explained, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were getting ready for bed and request they to consume candy "rapidly".
She stated to the judge the defendant had engaged in this activity with the boys "for many years", and minors had previously become sick the subsequent day.
She said the man had been capable of justifying this repeatedly as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had suspicions in summer 2025.
The legal representative stated further: "Recently" his stepson had suspicions about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They decided to investigate in the man's possessions."
The prosecutor explained objects including infant oil, Vaseline and injection devices were located, and his stepchild alerted the authorities about his concerns.
She explained the defendant continued to engage in the "treat game" with six youngsters that night - July 26th - and they were all ill the next day.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that time," she added.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was reviewing the police response of the events.
The prosecutor stated the minors were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so the family member notified the authorities once more.
She said the man then conducted the "treat game" in a space of five minors.
