A man who contaminated candy with tranquilliser and gave them to minors at a summer program in Leicestershire has admitted sexual offences against two young males aged nine and ten years old.
The accused was detained after eight minors and an older person experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in July.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
The accused was held in detention ahead of a further hearing on late November.
'Candy game'
The legal representative, presenting evidence, described the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She said his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a summer camp which he operated.
The defendant played a "sweet game" with the minors, the prosecutor stated, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She told the court the defendant had conducted this practice with the boys "for many years", and minors had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She said the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had worries in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC added: "Recently" his family member had suspicions about what was going on, for good reason.
"They chose" to have a look in the individual's items."
The legal counsel stated materials including lubricant, ointment and injection devices were located, and his stepchild contacted the police about his suspicions.
She said Ruben continued to play the "candy game" with six children that evening - July 26th - and they were all ill the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that stage," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was examining Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
The legal representative stated the minors were struggling to walk due to being ill, so the stepson notified the police once more.
She stated Ruben then engaged in the "candy game" in a room of five minors.
