A man who spiked sweets with tranquilliser and distributed them to youngsters at a summer program in Leicestershire has admitted sexual offenses against two children who were nine and 10.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight youngsters and an older person fell ill at the facility in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he was present at the judicial center on recently.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit one particular crime he was accused of, which was against a nine-year-old boy.
Ruben was kept in jail before a further hearing on 28 November.
'Candy game'
The prosecutor, presenting evidence, detailed the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She stated his targets were under-privileged children who were attending a summer program which he managed.
The defendant conducted a "candy game" with the minors, the legal counsel explained, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She informed the proceedings the man had played this game with the children "over an extended period", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She said the man had been able to explain this for many years as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepchild had concerns in July 2025.
The legal representative continued: "Recently" his family member had concerns about what was going on, for good reason.
"They chose" to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor stated items including infant oil, Vaseline and medical needles were discovered, and his stepson notified the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She explained Ruben proceeded to play the "treat game" with six boys that time - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the next day.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that time," she continued.
The oversight body, the investigative body, previously told that it was examining Leicestershire Police's handling of the events.
The prosecutor said the children were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson contacted the police again.
She stated the man then conducted the "treat game" in a space of five youngsters.
