A man who spiked candy with sleeping medication and provided them to minors at a summer camp in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two young males aged nine and ten years old.
The accused was taken into custody after eight youngsters and a grown-up fell ill at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he was present at the courthouse on Friday.
Nevertheless, he denied a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was concerning a young boy.
The accused was remanded in custody prior to a further hearing on 28 November.
'Candy game'
The prosecutor, handling the case, outlined Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She stated his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a summer camp which he managed.
Ruben engaged in a "treat game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor said, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and request they to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She informed the proceedings the defendant had engaged in this activity with the young males "over an extended period", and minors had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She explained Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had concerns in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "Recently" his stepchild had worries about what was going on, justifiably.
"They decided to investigate in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel explained objects including baby oil, petroleum jelly and syringes were discovered, and his family member alerted the police about his concerns.
She explained Ruben proceeded to engage in the "sweet game" with six boys that evening - July 26th - and they were all sick the next day.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that point," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, had stated that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the events.
The legal representative stated the minors were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so the stepson called the law enforcement once more.
She said the defendant then played the "candy game" in a space of five minors.
