A man who spiked candy with tranquilliser and distributed them to youngsters at a summer program in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual crimes against two boys who were between nine and ten.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight children and an older person became sick at the location in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
Nevertheless, he denied one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was concerning a young boy.
Ruben was remanded in custody prior to a further hearing on late November.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, detailed Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She explained his victims were under-privileged children who were participating in a summer program which he managed.
Ruben conducted a "sweet game" with the minors, the prosecutor stated, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge the defendant had engaged in this activity with the children "repeatedly", and minors had previously become sick the following morning.
She said the defendant had been able to explain this over a long period as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had suspicions in July 2025.
The legal representative added: "Recently" his family member had worries about the activities, with valid cause.
"They resolved" to examine in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel explained items including baby oil, Vaseline and injection devices were found, and his family member alerted the police about his worries.
She stated the defendant proceeded to conduct the "candy game" with six youngsters that time - that Saturday - and they were all ill the subsequent day.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that stage," she added.
The oversight body, the investigative body, previously told that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
Mrs Prior stated the minors were struggling to walk due to being ill, so the stepson contacted the law enforcement a second time.
She stated Ruben then conducted the "candy game" in a space of five children.
