A person who laced treats with sedative and gave them to youngsters at a summer program in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two boys aged nine and 10.
The accused was detained after eight minors and a grown-up experienced illness at the facility in July.
The senior citizen, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
However, he disputed one particular crime he was charged with, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was remanded in custody before a further hearing on November 28th.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, outlined Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She said his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a summer program which he operated.
Ruben conducted a "candy game" with the children, the prosecutor explained, in which he would go into the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to consume candy "rapidly".
She informed the proceedings the man had engaged in this activity with the children "repeatedly", and youngsters had previously become sick the next day.
She explained the man had been capable of justifying this repeatedly as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had suspicions in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC added: "This year his family member had concerns about the situation, for good reason.
"They resolved" to investigate in the individual's items."
Mrs Prior KC said materials including baby oil, petroleum jelly and medical needles were located, and his family member notified the law enforcement about his worries.
She stated Ruben continued to play the "treat game" with six boys that time - July 26th - and they were all ill the next day.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that time," she continued.
The police watchdog, the police conduct office, previously told that it was reviewing the police response of the events.
The legal representative explained the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so the family member contacted the authorities a second time.
She said the man then engaged in the "candy game" in a room of five minors.
