A man who laced sweets with tranquilliser and provided them to minors at a summer program in Leicestershire has admitted sexual offences against two boys both between nine and ten.
The accused was taken into custody after eight minors and a grown-up experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he was present at the courthouse on Friday.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was concerning a young boy.
The accused was held in detention before a additional proceeding on November 28th.
'Treat game'
The prosecutor, prosecuting, detailed Ruben's offending to the court.
She said his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were staying at a summer program which he managed.
Ruben engaged in a "sweet game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel explained, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to consume candy "rapidly".
She told the court the defendant had conducted this practice with the boys "over an extended period", and children had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She stated the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had suspicions in summer 2025.
The legal representative continued: "This year his stepson had concerns about what was going on, for good reason.
"They resolved" to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC stated objects including infant oil, ointment and syringes were discovered, and his stepson notified the police about his worries.
She explained the man continued to play the "sweet game" with six children that time - July 26th - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that time," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.
The prosecutor said the children were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so the family member notified the police a second time.
She explained the defendant then engaged in the "sweet game" in a area of five children.
