An individual who contaminated candy with sedative and distributed them to minors at a summer program in Leicestershire has admitted sexual offences against two young males who were nine and 10.
The accused was arrested after eight children and one adult experienced illness at the facility in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at the courthouse on Friday.
However, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was held in detention ahead of a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, prosecuting, outlined the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She stated his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a summer program which he operated.
Ruben conducted a "sweet game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor explained, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were getting ready for bed and request they to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She informed the proceedings the man had played this game with the boys "repeatedly", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She said the man had been capable of justifying this repeatedly as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had concerns in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC added: "This year his family member had concerns about the situation, for good reason.
"They chose" to have a look in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel stated materials including infant oil, Vaseline and injection devices were discovered, and his stepchild notified the authorities about his worries.
She said the defendant proceeded to engage in the "treat game" with six youngsters that night - July 26th - and they were all ill the subsequent day.
"The police had not gone out by that time," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was investigating the police response of the situation.
The prosecutor stated the children were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson contacted the law enforcement again.
She said the man then played the "treat game" in a space of five youngsters.
