A man who contaminated sweets with sleeping medication and distributed them to minors at a summer program in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two young males aged nine and 10.
The accused was detained after eight children and an older person became sick at the location in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he stood at the courthouse on recently.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit one particular crime he was accused of, which was concerning a young boy.
The accused was held in detention ahead of a additional proceeding on November 28th.
'Candy game'
The prosecutor, prosecuting, detailed the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She stated his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a youth camp which he ran.
The defendant engaged in a "candy game" with the minors, the legal counsel explained, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to ingest treats "as fast as possible".
She told the court the man had engaged in this activity with the young males "over an extended period", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She stated Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had suspicions in summer 2025.
The prosecutor continued: "This year his stepchild had concerns about the situation, with valid cause.
"They chose" to have a look in the individual's items."
The prosecutor explained objects including lubricant, ointment and medical needles were located, and his family member contacted the police about his suspicions.
She explained the defendant went on to play the "candy game" with six children that night - July 26th - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that time," she stated further.
The oversight body, the investigative body, previously told that it was examining law enforcement's management of the events.
Mrs Prior said the children were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so the family member called the authorities once more.
She stated the man then engaged in the "treat game" in a area of five minors.
