A man who laced sweets with sleeping medication and gave them to minors at a summer program in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual offenses against two young males both between nine and ten.
The accused was taken into custody after eight children and a grown-up fell ill at the location in July.
The 76-year-old, from that region, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at the judicial center on the end of the week.
Yet, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was against a nine-year-old boy.
The defendant was kept in jail before a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Treat game'
The prosecutor, presenting evidence, outlined the criminal behavior to the judicial body.
She explained his targets were under-privileged children who were staying at a summer camp which he operated.
The defendant conducted a "treat 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 stated to the judge the defendant had conducted this practice with the children "for many years", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She explained the defendant had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepchild had concerns in summer 2025.
The legal representative continued: "This year his stepchild had concerns about the activities, justifiably.
"They decided to examine in the individual's items."
Mrs Prior KC explained materials including baby oil, Vaseline and medical needles were located, and his stepson notified the authorities about his suspicions.
She said Ruben went on to play the "sweet game" with six youngsters that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that time," she continued.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was examining law enforcement's management of the incident.
The legal representative stated the children were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson notified the law enforcement again.
She stated Ruben then conducted the "candy game" in a area of five youngsters.
