A person who laced candy with sleeping medication and distributed them to youngsters at a summer program in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two young males who were between nine and ten.
The accused was arrested after eight youngsters and an older person became sick at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at the judicial center on the end of the week.
Yet, he denied one particular crime he was accused of, which was against a young boy.
The accused was remanded in custody before a further hearing on late November.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, described Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She stated his those affected were under-privileged children who were attending a summer program which he operated.
The defendant played a "treat game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor stated, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to ingest treats "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge the man had conducted this practice with the young males "for many years", and minors had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She said the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had suspicions in July 2025.
The legal representative stated further: "This year his stepson had worries about what was going on, for good reason.
"They chose" to investigate in the individual's items."
The prosecutor stated objects including baby oil, petroleum jelly and injection devices were located, and his stepson alerted the authorities about his concerns.
She said the defendant proceeded to engage in the "treat game" with six boys that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that time," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was examining the police response of the incident.
The legal representative stated the minors were struggling to walk due to being ill, so the family member called the police a second time.
She explained the man then played the "treat game" in a area of five minors.
