A person who laced treats with tranquilliser and provided them to minors at a summer program in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two young males who were nine and ten years old.
The defendant was arrested after eight youngsters and an older person experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he was present at the judicial center on recently.
Yet, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was concerning a young boy.
Ruben was held in detention before a further hearing on late November.
'Candy game'
The legal representative, handling the case, detailed the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She said his victims were under-privileged children who were participating in a summer program which he managed.
Ruben engaged in a "treat game" with the children, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and request they to ingest treats "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge the man had played this game with the boys "over an extended period", and children had previously fallen ill the next day.
She explained the man had been able to explain this repeatedly as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had suspicions in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC added: "Recently" his stepchild had suspicions about the activities, with valid cause.
"They chose" to examine in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC explained materials including lubricant, Vaseline and syringes were found, and his stepchild contacted the law enforcement about his worries.
She stated the defendant continued to play the "candy game" with six youngsters that time - July 26th - and they were all ill the following morning.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that point," she continued.
The police watchdog, the police conduct office, had stated that it was investigating the police response of the situation.
Mrs Prior said the children were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so the family member contacted the authorities a second time.
She stated the defendant then played the "candy game" in a room of five youngsters.
