A person who laced sweets with sleeping medication and provided them to youngsters at a summer program in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two boys who were nine and ten years old.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight minors and a grown-up experienced illness at the facility in July.
The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
However, he denied a single sexual charge he was facing, which was concerning a young boy.
The accused was kept in jail before a subsequent court date on November 28th.
'Sweet game'
The legal representative, prosecuting, detailed Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She stated his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a summer camp which he managed.
The defendant engaged in a "sweet game" with the minors, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would go into the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and request they to eat sweets "rapidly".
She stated to the judge the man had engaged in this activity with the children "repeatedly", and youngsters had previously become sick the subsequent day.
She stated Ruben had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had suspicions in July 2025.
The legal representative added: "This year his stepchild had concerns about what was going on, for good reason.
"They resolved" to have a look in the man's possessions."
The prosecutor said materials including lubricant, ointment and medical needles were discovered, and his family member notified the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She explained Ruben went on to conduct the "candy game" with six youngsters that time - that Saturday - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that point," she stated further.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the events.
The legal representative stated the minors were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson called the authorities again.
She said the defendant then engaged in the "candy game" in a space of five youngsters.
