A person who contaminated candy with tranquilliser and distributed them to minors at a summer program in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two young males who were between nine and ten.
The accused was taken into custody after eight minors and a grown-up fell ill at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a multiple criminal counts when he stood at the judicial center on recently.
Nevertheless, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was against a young boy.
Ruben was remanded in custody ahead of a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, outlined the criminal behavior to the judicial body.
She stated his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a summer camp which he managed.
The man conducted a "treat game" with the children, the prosecutor stated, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to consume candy "rapidly".
She told the court the man had conducted this practice with the children "over an extended period", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She said the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepchild had concerns in July 2025.
The legal representative stated further: "In the summer" his family member had worries about what was going on, justifiably.
"They resolved" to investigate in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC explained materials including lubricant, ointment and syringes were found, and his family member contacted the police about his suspicions.
She said the man continued to play the "candy game" with six boys that night - July 26th - and they were all ill the subsequent day.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that stage," she added.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was examining Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
The prosecutor explained the children were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson called the law enforcement a second time.
She explained the defendant then conducted the "candy game" in a area of five youngsters.
