An individual who contaminated candy with sleeping medication and provided them to minors at a youth camp in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two young males who were between nine and ten.
The accused was taken into custody after eight youngsters and a grown-up experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.
The senior citizen, from the Nottinghamshire area, admitted guilt to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at the courthouse on recently.
Yet, he denied a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was concerning a young boy.
The defendant was remanded in custody ahead of a additional proceeding on November 28th.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, described the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She said his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were staying at a youth camp which he operated.
The man conducted a "sweet game" with the minors, the prosecutor said, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to ingest treats "as fast as possible".
She told the court Ruben had conducted this practice with the children "for many years", and children had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She said the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had suspicions in July 2025.
The legal representative added: "In the summer" his stepchild had worries about what was going on, for good reason.
"They resolved" to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor explained items including infant oil, petroleum jelly and medical needles were found, and his family member contacted the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She explained the man went on to conduct the "candy game" with six youngsters that time - July 26th - and they were all sick the next day.
"The police had not responded by that time," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was reviewing the police response of the situation.
The prosecutor said the children were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so the stepson contacted the law enforcement again.
She explained the defendant then played the "sweet game" in a area of five youngsters.
