An individual who spiked candy with sedative and distributed them to minors at a youth camp in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two children aged nine and ten years old.
The accused was taken into custody after eight children and one adult became sick at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from that region, admitted guilt to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at the courthouse on the end of the week.
However, he denied one particular crime he was facing, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
The accused was kept in jail prior to a subsequent court date on late November.
'Candy game'
The legal representative, prosecuting, outlined Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She explained his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were staying at a summer camp which he managed.
The defendant conducted a "candy game" with the minors, the legal counsel said, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge the defendant had engaged in this activity with the young males "repeatedly", and youngsters had previously become sick the subsequent day.
She said the defendant had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had concerns in summer 2025.
The prosecutor continued: "In the summer" his family member had worries about the situation, justifiably.
"They chose" to investigate in the individual's items."
The prosecutor said items including baby oil, ointment and syringes were located, and his family member notified the police about his worries.
She explained Ruben continued to conduct the "candy game" with six boys that time - July 26th - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that stage," she stated further.
The oversight body, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was reviewing the police response of the incident.
The prosecutor said the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so the family member notified the authorities once more.
She stated the defendant then engaged in the "sweet game" in a space of five minors.
