🔗 Share this article Man pleads guilty to sexual offenses against children at youth camp The defendant admitted 17 criminal counts at Leicester Crown Court on recently A man who contaminated sweets with tranquilliser and gave them to youngsters at a summer camp in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual offences against two young males aged between nine and ten. The defendant was taken into custody after eight youngsters and one adult became sick at Stathern Lodge in July. The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week. Yet, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy. The defendant was remanded in custody prior to a subsequent court date on November 28th. 'Sweet game' The legal representative, prosecuting, outlined the criminal behavior to the judicial body. She explained his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a summer program which he managed. Ruben engaged in a "candy game" with the minors, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to consume candy "as quickly as they can". She stated to the judge Ruben had conducted this practice with the young males "for many years", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the next day. She said the defendant had been able to explain this for many years as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had worries in July 2025. The legal representative added: "This year his stepchild had suspicions about the activities, for good reason. "They chose" to examine in the man's possessions." The prosecutor explained items including lubricant, petroleum jelly and syringes were found, and his stepchild contacted the police about his suspicions. She said the man continued to conduct the "treat game" with six youngsters that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the following morning. "Authorities" had not gone out by that time," she added. The regulatory agency, the police conduct office, had stated that it was reviewing the police response of the events. Mrs Prior explained the minors were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson contacted the law enforcement a second time. She explained the defendant then engaged in the "treat game" in a room of five children.