A man who contaminated candy with tranquilliser and gave them to minors at a summer program in Leicestershire has admitted sexual offenses against two young males both between nine and ten.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight youngsters and one adult experienced illness at the location in the summer month.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
Yet, he denied a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was against a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was held in detention prior to a further hearing on late November.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, prosecuting, described the criminal behavior to the court.
She stated his targets were under-privileged children who were participating in a summer program which he managed.
Ruben conducted a "candy game" with the children, the prosecutor said, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and ask them to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge the defendant had engaged in this activity with the young males "repeatedly", and children had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She said the man had been able to explain this repeatedly as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had concerns in summer 2025.
The prosecutor stated further: "In the summer" his family member had worries about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They decided to investigate in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC said items including infant oil, petroleum jelly and medical needles were discovered, and his family member alerted the police about his worries.
She said the defendant went on to engage in the "sweet game" with six youngsters that time - that Saturday - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"The police had not arrived by that point," she continued.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was examining Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
The legal representative stated the minors were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so the stepson called the law enforcement once more.
She stated the defendant then conducted the "sweet game" in a room of five minors.
