A person who contaminated candy with sleeping medication and provided them to minors at a summer camp in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two young males who were between nine and ten.
The defendant was detained after eight youngsters and a grown-up fell ill at the facility in the summer month.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he stood at the judicial center on the end of the week.
Nevertheless, he disputed one particular crime he was charged with, which was concerning a young boy.
The accused was kept in jail ahead of a subsequent court date on late November.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, outlined the defendant's actions to the legal proceedings.
She stated his those affected were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a summer program which he ran.
Ruben played a "sweet game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and tell them to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She informed the proceedings the man had conducted this practice with the children "for many years", and children had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She said Ruben had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had concerns in July 2025.
The legal representative continued: "This year his stepchild had worries about the activities, justifiably.
"They chose" to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel said materials including infant oil, ointment and injection devices were found, and his stepchild alerted the authorities about his worries.
She stated Ruben went on to play the "sweet game" with six children that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the next day.
"The police had not responded by that point," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was examining Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
The legal representative explained the children were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so the stepson called the authorities again.
She explained the man then played the "sweet game" in a room of five minors.
