An individual who laced treats with tranquilliser and gave them to youngsters at a summer program in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two children both nine and ten years old.
The accused was arrested after eight minors and one adult became sick at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.
The senior citizen, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at the courthouse on Friday.
Nevertheless, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was against a nine-year-old child.
The accused was held in detention ahead of a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Candy game'
The prosecutor, handling the case, outlined Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She stated his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were participating in a summer program which he managed.
The defendant engaged in a "treat game" with the minors, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to consume candy "rapidly".
She informed the proceedings the defendant had played this game with the children "over an extended period", and children had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She said the man had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had worries in July 2025.
The prosecutor stated further: "Recently" his stepson had suspicions about the situation, for good reason.
"They decided to examine in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC stated materials including infant oil, ointment and medical needles were discovered, and his stepson contacted the authorities about his concerns.
She said the defendant continued to engage in the "treat game" with six boys that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that time," she continued.
The oversight body, the investigative body, previously told that it was examining law enforcement's management of the events.
The prosecutor said the minors were struggling to walk due to their condition, so the family member called the authorities once more.
She explained the defendant then conducted the "sweet game" in a room of five minors.
