A man who laced treats with sedative and distributed them to minors at a summer program in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual crimes against two boys both between nine and ten.
The accused was detained after eight youngsters and one adult experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.
The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at the courthouse on Friday.
However, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was remanded in custody before a additional proceeding on late November.
'Sweet game'
The prosecutor, presenting evidence, described the criminal behavior to the court.
She explained his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were staying at a summer program which he ran.
Ruben played a "candy game" with the children, the prosecutor explained, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to eat sweets "rapidly".
She told the court the defendant had conducted this practice with the young males "repeatedly", and minors had previously fallen ill the next day.
She said the man had been capable of justifying this for many years as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had concerns in summer 2025.
The legal representative added: "This year his stepson had concerns about what was going on, for good reason.
"They decided to have a look in the individual's items."
The legal counsel explained items including infant oil, ointment and syringes were discovered, and his family member contacted the police about his suspicions.
She explained the defendant went on to conduct the "candy game" with six youngsters that time - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell 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 law enforcement's management of the situation.
The prosecutor stated the minors were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson called the police a second time.
She said the man then engaged in the "candy game" in a area of five minors.
