A person who contaminated candy with tranquilliser and distributed them to minors at a summer program in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two children both nine and ten years old.
The defendant was arrested after eight minors and a grown-up became sick at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at the courthouse on the end of the week.
However, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was concerning a young boy.
The defendant was held in detention before a additional proceeding on late November.
'Sweet game'
The legal representative, presenting evidence, outlined Ruben's offending to the court.
She said his targets were under-privileged children who were participating in a youth camp which he operated.
The defendant played a "candy game" with the minors, the prosecutor stated, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She told the court Ruben had engaged in this activity with the boys "over an extended period", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She stated the man had been able to explain this for many years as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had worries in summer 2025.
The prosecutor continued: "This year his stepson had worries about the activities, with valid cause.
"They decided to investigate in the individual's items."
The prosecutor stated materials including baby oil, Vaseline and syringes were found, and his stepchild contacted the law enforcement about his concerns.
She said the man continued to conduct the "treat game" with six children that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the next day.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that stage," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, previously told that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the incident.
The legal representative stated the minors were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson called the police once more.
She stated the defendant then played the "treat game" in a room of five minors.
