An individual who contaminated candy with sedative and gave them to youngsters at a summer program in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual offences against two children who were nine and 10.
The accused was taken into custody after eight youngsters and a grown-up experienced illness at the location in July.
The senior citizen, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he stood at the courthouse on the end of the week.
Yet, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was held in detention before a subsequent court date on late November.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, presenting evidence, described Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She explained his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a summer program which he ran.
The defendant engaged in a "candy game" with the children, the legal counsel stated, in which he would go into the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to consume candy "rapidly".
She stated to the judge the man had played this game with the boys "for many years", and minors had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She explained Ruben had been capable of justifying this for many years as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had concerns in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "Recently" his family member had suspicions about the activities, with valid cause.
"They resolved" to have a look in the individual's items."
The prosecutor said items including lubricant, Vaseline and injection devices were discovered, and his family member contacted the law enforcement about his concerns.
She stated the defendant continued to conduct the "candy game" with six boys that night - July 26th - and they were all ill the next day.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that time," she added.
The police watchdog, the police conduct office, previously told that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the situation.
Mrs Prior said the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so the stepson notified the law enforcement once more.
She explained the defendant then conducted the "candy game" in a room of five children.
