A person who contaminated sweets with sedative and provided them to youngsters at a summer program in Leicestershire has admitted sexual offences against two young males aged nine and 10.
The accused was arrested after eight youngsters and an older person experienced illness at the location in July.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, admitted guilt to a total of 17 charges when he was present at the judicial center on Friday.
Nevertheless, he denied one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was concerning a young boy.
The defendant was kept in jail prior to a further hearing on 28 November.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, handling the case, detailed the criminal behavior to the court.
She stated his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a summer program which he managed.
The defendant played a "sweet game" with the children, the prosecutor explained, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and request they to ingest treats "rapidly".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had engaged in this activity with the young males "repeatedly", and children had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She explained Ruben had been able to explain this for many years as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had suspicions in July 2025.
The legal representative stated further: "This year his family member had worries about the situation, justifiably.
"They chose" to examine in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC said objects including infant oil, petroleum jelly and injection devices were found, and his family member notified the authorities about his worries.
She stated the man proceeded to engage in the "treat game" with six boys that time - that Saturday - and they were all ill the next day.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that time," she added.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was examining the police response of the events.
The legal representative stated the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so the family member called the law enforcement again.
She explained Ruben then played the "candy game" in a area of five children.
