A person who spiked sweets with tranquilliser and provided them to minors at a summer camp in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two children who were nine and ten years old.
The accused was taken into custody after eight youngsters and a grown-up became sick at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at the judicial center on recently.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was against a nine-year-old child.
The accused was held in detention prior to a additional proceeding on late November.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, detailed Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She said his those affected were under-privileged children who were staying at a summer program which he operated.
Ruben engaged in a "candy game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel said, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She informed the proceedings the defendant had conducted this practice with the young males "repeatedly", and children had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She said the man had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had concerns in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "In the summer" his stepson had worries about what was going on, justifiably.
"They resolved" to examine in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel said objects including baby oil, petroleum jelly and medical needles were located, and his family member notified the law enforcement about his worries.
She stated the man proceeded to engage in the "sweet game" with six boys that time - July 26th - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"The police had not arrived by that point," she added.
The regulatory agency, the police conduct office, had stated that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
The prosecutor said the children were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so the family member notified the police a second time.
She said Ruben then played the "sweet game" in a area of five minors.
