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An individual who contaminated candy with sedative and gave them to children at a youth camp in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two boys aged nine and ten years old.

The accused was arrested after eight minors and one adult fell ill at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.

The elderly man, from that region, admitted guilt to a multiple criminal counts when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.

Nevertheless, he disputed one particular crime he was charged with, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.

The accused was held in detention prior to a further hearing on late November.

'Candy game'

The prosecutor, prosecuting, outlined the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.

She stated his targets were under-privileged children who were staying at a summer program which he managed.

Ruben played a "treat game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel said, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and ask them to ingest treats "rapidly".

She stated to the judge Ruben had played this game with the young males "for many years", and minors had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.

She stated the man had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had worries in summer 2025.

Mrs Prior KC stated further: "In the summer" his family member had suspicions about the activities, for good reason.

"They chose" to examine in the defendant's belongings."

Mrs Prior KC said materials including lubricant, petroleum jelly and injection devices were discovered, and his family member contacted the police about his suspicions.

She stated the defendant went on to play the "sweet game" with six boys that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.

"Authorities" had not gone out by that point," she continued.

The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was investigating the police response of the incident.

The prosecutor explained the youngsters were struggling to walk due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson contacted the law enforcement once more.

She explained the defendant then played the "treat game" in a space of five children.