An individual who contaminated candy with sedative and distributed them to youngsters at a summer program in the region has confessed to sexual crimes against two boys both nine and ten years old.
The defendant was detained after eight minors and an older person fell ill at the location in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
Nevertheless, he disputed one particular crime he was facing, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
Ruben was held in detention prior to a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, described the criminal behavior to the judicial body.
She stated his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a summer camp which he managed.
The defendant engaged in a "sweet game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor stated, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to ingest treats "rapidly".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had conducted this practice with the young males "over an extended period", and youngsters had previously become sick the following morning.
She explained Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had concerns in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "In the summer" his stepson had worries about the activities, for good reason.
"They decided to examine in the individual's items."
The legal counsel said items including baby oil, Vaseline and syringes were found, and his stepchild alerted the authorities about his worries.
She stated the man continued to conduct the "sweet game" with six boys that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the subsequent day.
"Authorities" had not responded by that time," she added.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was examining Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
Mrs Prior said the minors were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so the family member notified the police a second time.
She stated Ruben then conducted the "treat game" in a space of five minors.
