A person who contaminated candy with tranquilliser and provided them to minors at a summer program in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two young males both nine and 10.
The defendant was arrested after eight minors and a grown-up became sick at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
However, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was held in detention ahead of a further hearing on November 28th.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, detailed Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She said his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a summer camp which he managed.
The man engaged in a "sweet game" with the minors, the prosecutor said, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were settling down and request they to consume candy "rapidly".
She told the court the man had engaged in this activity with the young males "for many years", and children had previously become sick the subsequent day.
She said the man had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had suspicions in July 2025.
The prosecutor stated further: "In the summer" his stepchild had suspicions about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They resolved" to have a look in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel explained materials including baby oil, ointment and syringes were located, and his family member contacted the law enforcement about his concerns.
She stated the man continued to engage in the "sweet game" with six boys that time - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the next day.
"The police had not responded by that stage," she stated further.
The oversight body, the investigative body, had stated that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the incident.
The prosecutor stated the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson notified the authorities once more.
She said the man then played the "sweet game" in a room of five children.
