A man who laced sweets with sleeping medication and gave them to youngsters at a summer program in the region has confessed to sexual crimes against two young males aged nine and ten years old.
The accused was detained after eight youngsters and one adult became sick at the facility in July.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, admitted guilt to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
However, he disputed a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was remanded in custody before a additional proceeding on November 28th.
'Candy game'
The prosecutor, prosecuting, outlined the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She stated his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a summer camp which he operated.
The man conducted a "candy game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior said, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had played this game with the young males "for many years", and children had previously become sick the subsequent day.
She explained Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had suspicions in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC added: "In the summer" his family member had suspicions about the situation, justifiably.
"They decided to examine in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor said objects including lubricant, petroleum jelly and injection devices were discovered, and his family member contacted the law enforcement about his concerns.
She explained Ruben proceeded to conduct the "candy game" with six boys that night - that Saturday - and they were all sick the next day.
"The police had not responded by that time," she added.
The oversight body, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was examining the police response of the situation.
The legal representative said the children were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so the family member contacted the law enforcement a second time.
She stated Ruben then engaged in the "sweet game" in a space of five children.
