A man who spiked sweets with sedative and provided them to children at a summer program in Leicestershire has admitted sexual offences against two young males who were nine and ten years old.
The accused was taken into custody after eight children and an older person fell ill at the location in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from that region, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he stood at the judicial center on the end of the week.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was involving a young boy.
The accused was kept in jail before a further hearing on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, detailed Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She stated his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were participating in a summer camp which he ran.
Ruben engaged in a "candy game" with the minors, the prosecutor said, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge Ruben had conducted this practice with the young males "for many years", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the next day.
She explained the man had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had concerns in July 2025.
The prosecutor continued: "This year his stepchild had concerns about the activities, justifiably.
"They chose" to examine in the individual's items."
Mrs Prior KC said objects including baby oil, ointment and medical needles were discovered, and his family member alerted the law enforcement about his worries.
She said the defendant continued to conduct the "candy game" with six boys that night - July 26th - and they were all sick the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that time," she stated further.
The oversight body, the police conduct office, had stated that it was examining law enforcement's management of the situation.
The prosecutor explained the children were struggling to walk due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson contacted the police again.
She stated the defendant then conducted the "candy game" in a space of five youngsters.
