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A man who contaminated sweets with sleeping medication and distributed them to children at a summer camp in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two young males both nine and 10.

The accused was taken into custody after eight minors and a grown-up became sick at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.

The elderly man, from that region, admitted guilt to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at the courthouse on recently.

However, he denied one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was concerning a young boy.

The accused was remanded in custody prior to a further hearing on late November.

'Treat game'

The legal representative, presenting evidence, described Ruben's offending to the judicial body.

She said his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were staying at a youth camp which he operated.

Ruben played a "sweet game" with the children, the legal counsel stated, in which he would go into the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".

She informed the proceedings the man had engaged in this activity with the children "for many years", and children had previously become sick the subsequent day.

She said the man had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had concerns in summer 2025.

The prosecutor stated further: "In the summer" his stepson had concerns about the situation, for good reason.

"They chose" to investigate in the individual's items."

The legal counsel stated objects including lubricant, petroleum jelly and syringes were found, and his stepson alerted the authorities about his worries.

She explained Ruben proceeded to engage in the "sweet game" with six boys that evening - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.

"The police had not arrived by that stage," she added.

The regulatory agency, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.

The legal representative said the youngsters were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson notified the law enforcement a second time.

She stated the man then conducted the "treat game" in a space of five minors.