A person who spiked treats with tranquilliser and distributed them to youngsters at a summer program in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two boys aged nine and ten years old.
The accused was taken into custody after eight children and an older person fell ill at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at the courthouse on the end of the week.
Nevertheless, he denied a single sexual charge he was facing, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was held in detention ahead of a subsequent court date on November 28th.
'Sweet game'
The prosecutor, prosecuting, described Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She explained his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were staying at a summer camp which he ran.
Ruben engaged in a "sweet game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor stated, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were settling down and request they to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".
She informed the proceedings the man had played this game with the children "for many years", and youngsters had previously become sick the subsequent day.
She explained the man had been capable of justifying this for many years as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had suspicions in July 2025.
The legal representative continued: "Recently" his stepchild had suspicions about the activities, for good reason.
"They resolved" to have a look in the individual's items."
The prosecutor stated materials including infant oil, ointment and injection devices were located, and his stepson notified the authorities about his suspicions.
She explained the defendant proceeded to play the "sweet game" with six children that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that point," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.
Mrs Prior said the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so the family member called the authorities again.
She said the defendant then played the "treat game" in a space of five children.
