An individual who contaminated treats with sleeping medication and distributed them to children at a summer program in Leicestershire has admitted sexual offenses against two young males aged between nine and ten.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight minors and a grown-up fell ill at the facility in July.
The 76-year-old, from that region, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he was present at the courthouse on Friday.
Yet, he disputed a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
Ruben was held in detention before a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Candy game'
The legal representative, presenting evidence, outlined Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She stated his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a summer camp which he ran.
Ruben engaged in a "treat game" with the children, the prosecutor explained, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge the defendant had engaged in this activity with the boys "over an extended period", and minors had previously become sick the next day.
She stated Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had concerns in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "In the summer" his stepchild had suspicions about the activities, with valid cause.
"They decided to examine in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel said objects including infant oil, Vaseline and medical needles were discovered, and his family member alerted the authorities about his suspicions.
She stated the defendant continued to engage in the "sweet game" with six boys that night - that Saturday - and they were all sick the following morning.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that stage," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was examining the police response of the events.
Mrs Prior explained the children were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so the family member called the authorities a second time.
She explained Ruben then engaged in the "treat game" in a area of five youngsters.
