A man who spiked sweets with sedative and provided them to minors at a summer camp in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two children both nine and ten years old.
The accused was arrested after eight children and an older person became sick at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he stood at the judicial center on the end of the week.
Yet, he refused to admit one particular crime he was charged with, which was involving a young boy.
The accused was held in detention prior to a additional proceeding on 28 November.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, detailed the defendant's actions to the court.
She stated his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a summer program which he ran.
The man engaged in a "sweet game" with the minors, the prosecutor explained, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and request they to eat sweets "rapidly".
She stated to the judge the man had played this game with the children "repeatedly", and children had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She stated Ruben had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had worries in July 2025.
The legal representative stated further: "Recently" his family member had worries about the situation, for good reason.
"They resolved" to investigate in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel stated materials including infant oil, petroleum jelly and injection devices were found, and his family member notified the police about his worries.
She explained Ruben went on to engage in the "sweet game" with six boys that night - July 26th - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that stage," she added.
The oversight body, the police conduct office, had stated that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.
The prosecutor said the minors were struggling to walk due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson notified the law enforcement once more.
She said the defendant then played the "sweet game" in a area of five minors.
