An individual who contaminated sweets with sedative and distributed them to youngsters at a summer program in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual crimes against two young males both nine and 10.
The accused was arrested after eight youngsters and an older person fell ill at the location in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, admitted guilt to a total of 17 charges when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
However, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was involving a young boy.
The accused was kept in jail ahead of a further hearing on November 28th.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, described the criminal behavior to the court.
She stated his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a summer program which he ran.
The defendant engaged in a "sweet game" with the children, the legal counsel said, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge Ruben had played this game with the boys "for many years", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the next day.
She said Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had concerns in summer 2025.
The legal representative added: "Recently" his stepson had suspicions about the situation, for good reason.
"They chose" to investigate in the man's possessions."
The prosecutor explained objects including infant oil, Vaseline and medical needles were discovered, and his stepson notified the police about his suspicions.
She explained Ruben proceeded to conduct the "sweet game" with six boys that time - July 26th - and they were all ill the next day.
"Authorities" had not responded by that stage," she continued.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was examining Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.
The legal representative explained the minors were struggling to walk due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson called the authorities again.
She explained Ruben then conducted the "sweet game" in a room of five youngsters.
