A man who laced treats with tranquilliser and gave them to minors at a summer program in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual offences against two children both between nine and ten.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight children and one adult experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in July.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he stood at the judicial center on the end of the week.
Yet, he refused to admit one particular crime he was accused of, which was against a young boy.
The defendant was held in detention prior to a additional proceeding on late November.
'Candy game'
The legal representative, handling the case, detailed Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She said his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a summer program which he managed.
The man played a "treat game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and request they to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She informed the proceedings the man had conducted this practice with the boys "over an extended period", and minors had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She explained the man had been able to explain this for many years as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had suspicions in July 2025.
The prosecutor added: "This year his family member had worries about what was going on, justifiably.
"They chose" to investigate in the individual's items."
The prosecutor explained objects including baby oil, petroleum jelly and injection devices were found, and his stepchild notified the police about his worries.
She explained the defendant proceeded to play the "candy game" with six youngsters that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the following morning.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that point," she continued.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, had stated that it was examining law enforcement's management of the situation.
Mrs Prior stated the children were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so the family member contacted the law enforcement once more.
She said the defendant then played the "treat game" in a room of five children.
