A person who spiked sweets with sedative and gave them to minors at a summer program in the region has confessed to sexual offenses against two children who were nine and ten years old.
The accused was taken into custody after eight minors and an older person experienced illness at the facility in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he stood at the judicial center on the end of the week.
Yet, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was against a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was kept in jail ahead of a further hearing on late November.
'Sweet game'
The prosecutor, handling the case, outlined the criminal behavior to the court.
She stated his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a summer camp which he managed.
Ruben conducted a "treat game" with the children, the prosecutor said, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and request they to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge Ruben had played this game with the children "repeatedly", and children had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She explained Ruben had been able to explain this for many years as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had worries in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "In the summer" his stepson had worries about the situation, justifiably.
"They resolved" to have a look in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel said materials including infant oil, ointment and injection devices were discovered, and his stepson alerted the law enforcement about his worries.
She explained the defendant proceeded to engage in the "candy game" with six children that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the subsequent day.
"Authorities" had not responded by that point," she added.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the events.
The legal representative said the children were struggling to walk due to their condition, so the stepson called the police again.
She stated the defendant then conducted the "treat game" in a space of five youngsters.
