A person who laced candy with sedative and provided them to youngsters at a summer program in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two boys aged nine and ten years old.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight minors and an older person experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
However, he disputed a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was against a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was held in detention ahead of a further hearing on late November.
'Candy game'
The prosecutor, presenting evidence, detailed the criminal behavior to the judicial body.
She stated his victims were under-privileged children who were attending a summer camp which he managed.
The defendant conducted a "sweet game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel said, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and tell them to consume candy "rapidly".
She stated to the judge the man had engaged in this activity with the boys "for many years", and minors had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She stated the man had been able to explain this for many years as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had worries in July 2025.
The legal representative continued: "In the summer" his stepchild had concerns about the situation, for good reason.
"They chose" to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor explained objects including infant oil, Vaseline and medical needles were located, and his stepson contacted the police about his worries.
She stated Ruben proceeded to conduct the "sweet game" with six boys that evening - July 26th - and they were everyone unwell the next day.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that time," she added.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was reviewing the police response of the events.
The legal representative said the minors were struggling to walk due to being ill, so the family member called the law enforcement again.
She said Ruben then played the "candy game" in a room of five children.
