A person who spiked sweets with tranquilliser and provided them to youngsters at a summer program in Leicestershire has admitted sexual offenses against two children both nine and 10.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight minors and an older person fell ill at the facility in the summer month.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he stood at the courthouse on the end of the week.
Yet, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was held in detention ahead of a further hearing on 28 November.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, prosecuting, detailed the defendant's actions to the legal proceedings.
She said his victims were under-privileged children who were participating in a summer camp which he operated.
Ruben conducted a "candy game" with the minors, the legal counsel explained, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and request they to eat sweets "rapidly".
She informed the proceedings the man had played this game with the boys "over an extended period", and minors had previously become sick the following morning.
She explained Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had suspicions in July 2025.
The legal representative added: "Recently" his family member had worries about the activities, for good reason.
"They chose" to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel explained objects including infant oil, ointment and medical needles were located, and his stepson notified the law enforcement about his worries.
She explained the defendant proceeded to engage in the "candy game" with six youngsters that time - July 26th - and they were everyone unwell the next day.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that time," she stated further.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was examining the police response of the incident.
Mrs Prior said the youngsters were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson contacted the authorities a second time.
She explained the defendant then conducted the "candy game" in a space of five children.
