An individual who spiked candy with sleeping medication and provided them to children at a summer program in Leicestershire has admitted sexual offences against two young males both between nine and ten.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight children and one adult fell ill at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.
The senior citizen, from that region, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he stood at the courthouse on Friday.
Yet, he refused to admit one particular crime he was accused of, which was against a young boy.
Ruben was held in detention before a subsequent court date on November 28th.
'Sweet game'
The legal representative, handling the case, outlined the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She stated his targets were under-privileged children who were attending a summer camp which he operated.
Ruben played a "treat game" with the minors, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to eat sweets "rapidly".
She informed the proceedings the man had conducted this practice with the children "repeatedly", and minors had previously fallen ill the next day.
She said Ruben had been able to explain this repeatedly as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had concerns in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "In the summer" his stepchild had suspicions about the situation, for good reason.
"They decided to examine in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC stated materials including lubricant, Vaseline and injection devices were discovered, and his stepchild notified the law enforcement about his worries.
She explained the man went on to conduct the "treat game" with six boys that evening - that Saturday - and they were all ill the next day.
"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that point," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, had stated that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
The legal representative explained the minors were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so the stepson notified the authorities again.
She explained the defendant then played the "candy game" in a space of five children.
