A man who spiked sweets with sleeping medication and distributed them to minors at a summer camp in Leicestershire has admitted sexual offenses against two boys both nine and ten years old.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight children and one adult experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he stood at the judicial center on the end of the week.
Nevertheless, he denied one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
The accused was kept in jail ahead of a subsequent court date on November 28th.
'Candy game'
The legal representative, presenting evidence, outlined the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She said his targets were under-privileged children who were participating in a summer camp which he ran.
The defendant engaged in a "treat game" with the minors, the prosecutor explained, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and request they to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She told the court the man had conducted this practice with the children "over an extended period", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She explained Ruben had been able to explain this repeatedly as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had suspicions in July 2025.
The legal representative added: "In the summer" his stepchild had concerns about the situation, justifiably.
"They decided to investigate in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel explained items including infant oil, Vaseline and injection devices were found, and his stepson alerted the law enforcement about his concerns.
She stated Ruben went on to engage in the "candy game" with six children that night - July 26th - and they were all sick the next day.
"Authorities" had not responded by that time," she added.
The oversight body, the police conduct office, had stated that it was reviewing the police response of the events.
Mrs Prior stated the youngsters were struggling to walk due to their condition, so the stepson contacted the authorities a second time.
She stated Ruben then conducted the "candy game" in a area of five minors.
