An individual who contaminated sweets with sedative and distributed them to minors at a summer program in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual offences against two children aged between nine and ten.
The defendant was detained after eight children and a grown-up became sick at the facility in the summer month.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, admitted guilt to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
Nevertheless, he disputed one particular crime he was charged with, which was against a nine-year-old boy.
The defendant was kept in jail ahead of a subsequent court date on November 28th.
'Candy game'
The prosecutor, handling the case, detailed Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She said his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a summer camp which he operated.
Ruben played a "treat game" with the minors, the prosecutor said, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were settling down and ask them to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge Ruben had conducted this practice with the boys "over an extended period", and children had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She explained Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had concerns in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "In the summer" his stepchild had worries about the situation, with valid cause.
"They chose" to investigate in the individual's items."
The prosecutor explained items including infant oil, Vaseline and injection devices were located, and his stepchild notified the police about his concerns.
She explained the man proceeded to engage in the "treat game" with six children that time - July 26th - and they were all sick the next day.
"The police had not gone out by that point," she stated further.
The oversight body, the police conduct office, previously told that it was investigating the police response of the incident.
The prosecutor explained the children were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson notified the authorities again.
She explained Ruben then engaged in the "candy game" in a area of five children.
