An individual who contaminated candy with sedative and provided them to children at a summer program in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual crimes against two boys who were between nine and ten.
The defendant was arrested after eight minors and one adult became sick at the facility in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
Yet, he refused to admit one particular crime he was charged with, which was against a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was remanded in custody ahead of a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, detailed Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She stated his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a summer program which he managed.
Ruben played a "treat game" with the minors, the legal counsel explained, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and request they to ingest treats "as fast as possible".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had played this game with the children "repeatedly", and children had previously become sick the subsequent day.
She said the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had concerns in summer 2025.
The prosecutor stated further: "Recently" his stepchild had worries about the situation, justifiably.
"They chose" to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC stated objects including baby oil, Vaseline and medical needles were found, and his stepson notified the police about his concerns.
She stated the man continued to conduct the "sweet game" with six children that evening - July 26th - and they were all ill the subsequent day.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that time," she continued.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was reviewing the police response of the situation.
Mrs Prior explained the children were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so the family member called the authorities again.
She explained the defendant then played the "treat game" in a space of five children.
