An individual who contaminated treats with tranquilliser and provided them to minors at a youth camp in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two young males who were between nine and ten.
The defendant was arrested after eight youngsters and one adult experienced illness at the facility in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he stood at the courthouse on the end of the week.
However, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was facing, which was against a nine-year-old child.
The accused was kept in jail prior to a subsequent court date on November 28th.
'Sweet game'
The prosecutor, prosecuting, detailed Ruben's offending to the court.
She said his those affected were under-privileged children who were attending a summer program which he managed.
Ruben engaged in a "candy game" with the children, the prosecutor explained, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were settling down and ask them to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge the man had engaged in this activity with the boys "over an extended period", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She explained the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had worries in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "In the summer" his stepson had suspicions about the activities, with valid cause.
"They decided to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor said materials including infant oil, petroleum jelly and medical needles were located, and his family member notified the police about his worries.
She stated the defendant went on to conduct the "treat game" with six youngsters that time - that Saturday - and they were all sick the following morning.
"The police had not arrived by that stage," she stated further.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was investigating the police response of the events.
Mrs Prior stated the youngsters were struggling to walk due to their condition, so the stepson called the law enforcement a second time.
She said Ruben then played the "candy game" in a room of five minors.
