An individual who laced sweets with tranquilliser and gave them to minors at a summer program in Leicestershire has admitted sexual crimes against two young males who were between nine and ten.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight children and a grown-up fell ill at the facility in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, admitted guilt to a total of 17 charges when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
Yet, he denied a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was against a young boy.
The defendant was remanded in custody ahead of a additional proceeding on 28 November.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, detailed Ruben's offending to the court.
She explained his targets were under-privileged children who were participating in a summer program which he operated.
The man conducted a "treat game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel explained, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge the man had conducted this practice with the boys "over an extended period", and children had previously become sick the subsequent day.
She explained the man had been able to explain this repeatedly as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had suspicions in summer 2025.
The prosecutor stated further: "Recently" his stepson had concerns about what was going on, for good reason.
"They resolved" to examine in the man's possessions."
The prosecutor said items including baby oil, petroleum jelly and injection devices were discovered, and his family member alerted the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She explained the man went on to play the "sweet game" with six youngsters that time - that Saturday - and they were all ill the next day.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that stage," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, previously told that it was examining Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
The legal representative explained the children were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so the stepson called the law enforcement again.
She said Ruben then conducted the "candy game" in a room of five minors.
