A man who laced candy with sleeping medication and distributed them to youngsters at a summer program in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual offences against two boys both between nine and ten.
The accused was detained after eight children and a grown-up fell ill at the location in the summer month.
The elderly man, from that region, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at the judicial center on the end of the week.
Yet, he denied one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was kept in jail ahead of a further hearing on November 28th.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, described the defendant's actions to the legal proceedings.
She said his those affected were under-privileged children who were staying at a summer camp which he operated.
The man conducted a "sweet game" with the minors, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".
She told the court the man had conducted this practice with the children "over an extended period", and minors had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She stated the man had been capable of justifying this for many years as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had worries in July 2025.
The legal representative added: "Recently" his family member had suspicions about what was going on, justifiably.
"They resolved" to investigate in the individual's items."
The prosecutor said items including baby oil, ointment and injection devices were located, and his family member notified the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She stated Ruben went on to play the "treat game" with six boys that evening - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that stage," she added.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the events.
The legal representative stated the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson notified the police a second time.
She said the defendant then played the "candy game" in a space of five minors.
