An individual who laced treats with sedative and gave them to minors at a summer program in the region has admitted sexual offenses against two children both nine and ten years old.
The accused was detained after eight youngsters and one adult fell ill at the facility in July.
The senior citizen, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
However, he disputed a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was against a young boy.
The accused was remanded in custody before a subsequent court date on November 28th.
'Candy game'
The prosecutor, prosecuting, described the criminal behavior to the court.
She explained his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a summer program which he operated.
Ruben played a "candy game" with the children, the legal counsel explained, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were getting ready for bed and request they to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She told the court the man had engaged in this activity with the children "over an extended period", and children had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She stated Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had suspicions in July 2025.
The prosecutor stated further: "In the summer" his stepson had suspicions about what was going on, for good reason.
"They resolved" to have a look in the individual's items."
The legal counsel explained items including infant oil, Vaseline and medical needles were discovered, and his family member notified the authorities about his suspicions.
She explained the defendant proceeded to engage in the "treat game" with six boys that evening - July 26th - and they were all ill the following morning.
"Authorities" had not responded by that point," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, previously told that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the events.
The prosecutor stated the minors were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson notified the authorities a second time.
She explained the defendant then engaged in the "sweet game" in a room of five youngsters.
