An individual who laced sweets with sedative and distributed them to youngsters at a summer program in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual offenses against two boys who were nine and ten years old.
The defendant was arrested after eight youngsters and one adult became sick at the location in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from that region, admitted guilt to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at the courthouse on recently.
However, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was kept in jail before a additional proceeding on late November.
'Sweet game'
The legal representative, prosecuting, detailed Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She explained his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a summer program which he operated.
Ruben engaged in a "treat game" with the children, the legal counsel stated, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were settling down and tell them to consume candy "rapidly".
She told the court Ruben had engaged in this activity with the young males "over an extended period", and youngsters had previously become sick the following morning.
She stated the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had worries in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "This year his stepson had worries about the activities, for good reason.
"They chose" to examine in the individual's items."
The legal counsel stated materials including lubricant, ointment and syringes were found, and his family member alerted the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She stated the defendant proceeded to engage in the "treat game" with six children that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the next day.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that stage," she continued.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, previously told that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the events.
The prosecutor explained the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so the stepson called the authorities again.
She stated the man then engaged in the "candy game" in a space of five children.
