An individual who laced treats with sleeping medication and gave them to youngsters at a youth camp in Leicestershire has admitted sexual crimes against two young males both between nine and ten.
The accused was arrested after eight youngsters and an older person became sick at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from that region, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he was present at the judicial center on recently.
Yet, he disputed one particular crime he was charged with, which was involving a young boy.
The defendant was kept in jail ahead of a additional proceeding on November 28th.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, detailed the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She said his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were staying at a youth camp which he managed.
The defendant played a "treat game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel said, in which he would go into the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She told the court the man had engaged in this activity with the children "over an extended period", and children had previously become sick the next day.
She said the man had been capable of justifying this for many years as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had suspicions in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "In the summer" his stepson had concerns about the situation, for good reason.
"They decided to investigate in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC stated items including baby oil, Vaseline and injection devices were discovered, and his family member notified the police about his worries.
She explained Ruben proceeded to conduct the "treat game" with six children that time - that Saturday - and they were all ill the next day.
"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that stage," she added.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the incident.
The prosecutor explained the children were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson called the police once more.
She said the defendant then engaged in the "candy game" in a area of five minors.
