A man who laced candy with sleeping medication and gave them to minors at a summer camp in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two young males aged between nine and ten.
The accused was arrested after eight minors and an older person experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
Nevertheless, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was involving a young boy.
Ruben was kept in jail before a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, detailed the defendant's actions to the legal proceedings.
She said his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were participating in a youth camp which he operated.
The defendant engaged in a "sweet game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor said, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to ingest treats "rapidly".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had conducted this practice with the children "over an extended period", and minors had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She said Ruben had been able to explain this for many years as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had suspicions in July 2025.
The prosecutor stated further: "Recently" his stepchild had suspicions about the activities, for good reason.
"They chose" to investigate in the individual's items."
The legal counsel explained objects including infant oil, ointment and injection devices were found, and his stepson contacted the authorities about his concerns.
She said the defendant went on to play the "candy game" with six youngsters that time - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the next day.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that time," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the incident.
Mrs Prior said the children were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson called the police again.
She stated the defendant then engaged in the "treat game" in a area of five minors.
