An individual who laced candy with tranquilliser and provided them to children at a summer program in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual offences against two young males both nine and 10.
The defendant was detained after eight children and one adult became sick at the location in mid-summer.
The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he stood at the courthouse on Friday.
Yet, he denied one particular crime he was accused of, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
The accused was kept in jail ahead of a additional proceeding on November 28th.
'Sweet game'
The legal representative, presenting evidence, described the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She explained his victims were under-privileged children who were participating in a summer camp which he managed.
Ruben played a "sweet game" with the minors, the legal counsel said, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and ask them to eat sweets "rapidly".
She told the court the man had conducted this practice with the children "for many years", and minors had previously become sick the next day.
She explained Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had concerns in summer 2025.
The legal representative stated further: "This year his stepson had worries about the situation, with valid cause.
"They resolved" to examine in the man's possessions."
The prosecutor said items including infant oil, Vaseline and medical needles were discovered, and his stepchild notified the police about his worries.
She explained Ruben went on to engage in the "sweet game" with six youngsters that evening - July 26th - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that point," she stated further.
The oversight body, the police conduct office, had stated that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the events.
The prosecutor stated the minors were struggling to walk due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson contacted the authorities once more.
She stated Ruben then conducted the "candy game" in a space of five youngsters.
