A person who contaminated treats with tranquilliser and distributed them to children at a summer program in Leicestershire has admitted sexual offences against two young males who were nine and ten years old.
The defendant was detained after eight youngsters and a grown-up experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from that region, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at the courthouse on the end of the week.
Nevertheless, he disputed a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
The defendant was held in detention before a further hearing on November 28th.
'Sweet game'
The prosecutor, prosecuting, described the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She stated his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a summer program which he managed.
The defendant played a "treat game" with the minors, Mrs Prior said, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She told the court the defendant had engaged in this activity with the children "over an extended period", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She stated Ruben had been capable of justifying this repeatedly as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had concerns in July 2025.
The legal representative continued: "Recently" his family member had concerns about the situation, with valid cause.
"They resolved" to have a look in the man's possessions."
The prosecutor said items including infant oil, Vaseline and injection devices were discovered, and his family member contacted the authorities about his concerns.
She stated the defendant went on to conduct the "sweet game" with six children that time - that Saturday - and they were all sick the following morning.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that stage," she stated further.
The oversight body, the investigative body, had stated that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the events.
Mrs Prior said the children were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so the stepson contacted the law enforcement a second time.
She said the defendant then engaged in the "treat game" in a area of five children.
