A man who contaminated treats with sedative and provided them to children at a summer program in Leicestershire has admitted sexual crimes against two boys who were nine and 10.
The accused was taken into custody after eight minors and a grown-up experienced illness at the facility in July.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he stood at the judicial center on recently.
Yet, he denied one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was against a nine-year-old child.
The accused was kept in jail before a further hearing on 28 November.
'Candy game'
The legal representative, handling the case, detailed the defendant's actions to the legal proceedings.
She said his victims were under-privileged children who were attending a summer camp which he ran.
Ruben played a "treat game" with the minors, Mrs Prior said, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to eat sweets "rapidly".
She informed the proceedings the man had played this game with the children "over an extended period", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She said the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had suspicions in summer 2025.
The prosecutor stated further: "Recently" his stepchild had suspicions about the activities, justifiably.
"They decided to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel explained objects including lubricant, ointment and syringes were found, and his stepson notified the police about his concerns.
She said the man continued to play the "candy game" with six boys that night - July 26th - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that time," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the police conduct office, previously told that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the situation.
Mrs Prior said the youngsters were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson called the authorities again.
She explained the defendant then engaged in the "candy game" in a area of five children.
