A person who laced sweets with sleeping medication and distributed them to minors at a summer program in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two children both nine and 10.
The accused was detained after eight youngsters and one adult experienced illness at the facility in July.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at the courthouse on recently.
Nevertheless, he denied one particular crime he was charged with, which was against a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was remanded in custody prior to a subsequent court date on late November.
'Candy game'
The legal representative, handling the case, detailed Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She stated his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a summer program which he operated.
Ruben conducted a "candy game" with the children, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and ask them to eat sweets "rapidly".
She told the court the defendant had engaged in this activity with the boys "for many years", and children had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She explained Ruben had been able to explain this for many years as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had concerns in summer 2025.
The prosecutor continued: "Recently" his stepchild had suspicions about what was going on, justifiably.
"They decided to have a look in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC explained items including lubricant, Vaseline and medical needles were found, and his stepchild notified the police about his suspicions.
She said the defendant proceeded to engage in the "candy game" with six boys that night - July 26th - and they were all ill the subsequent day.
"Authorities" had not responded by that point," she added.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
The prosecutor said the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so the family member called the authorities again.
She stated the man then played the "treat game" in a space of five minors.
