A person who spiked candy with tranquilliser and distributed them to minors at a summer program in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two boys aged nine and ten years old.
The defendant was detained after eight youngsters and a grown-up fell ill at Stathern Lodge in July.
The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
Yet, he denied a single sexual charge he was facing, which was concerning a young boy.
Ruben was held in detention ahead of a additional proceeding on November 28th.
'Sweet game'
The legal representative, prosecuting, detailed the criminal behavior to the court.
She said his those affected were under-privileged children who were attending a summer program which he ran.
Ruben played a "treat game" with the children, the legal counsel explained, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and ask them to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had conducted this practice with the young males "over an extended period", and minors had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She stated Ruben had been capable of justifying this repeatedly as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had concerns in summer 2025.
The legal representative stated further: "This year his stepchild had suspicions about the situation, with valid cause.
"They decided to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC stated items including lubricant, petroleum jelly and injection devices were discovered, and his stepchild notified the police about his suspicions.
She explained the man continued to engage in the "candy game" with six youngsters that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the next day.
"The police had not gone out by that point," she stated further.
The oversight body, the investigative body, had stated that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the events.
The prosecutor explained the minors were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so the family member contacted the authorities a second time.
She stated the man then played the "sweet game" in a area of five children.
