A person who laced candy with tranquilliser and provided them to children at a summer program in Leicestershire has admitted sexual crimes against two young males aged between nine and ten.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight minors and one adult became sick at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he was present at the judicial center on recently.
Nevertheless, he denied one particular crime he was accused of, which was involving a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was held in detention ahead of a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, handling the case, outlined the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She stated his those affected were disadvantaged youngsters who were staying at a summer program which he operated.
Ruben engaged in a "sweet game" with the minors, the legal counsel said, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were settling down and request they to consume candy "rapidly".
She told the court the man had conducted this practice with the children "repeatedly", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She said the man had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had worries in July 2025.
The legal representative added: "This year his stepson had concerns about the activities, justifiably.
"They resolved" to have a look in the individual's items."
The prosecutor said items including lubricant, petroleum jelly and medical needles were found, and his family member notified the law enforcement about his worries.
She explained the defendant proceeded to conduct the "treat game" with six children that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the following morning.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that stage," she added.
The regulatory agency, the police conduct office, had stated that it was examining Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.
The legal representative stated the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson notified the authorities a second time.
She explained the man then conducted the "sweet game" in a space of five youngsters.
