An individual who contaminated candy with sleeping medication and distributed them to youngsters at a summer program in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual crimes against two boys aged nine and 10.
The accused was taken into custody after eight youngsters and an older person experienced illness at the facility in mid-summer.
The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at the courthouse on Friday.
Nevertheless, he denied one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was involving a young boy.
Ruben was kept in jail before a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
The prosecutor, presenting evidence, described Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She explained his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a summer program which he ran.
The man engaged in a "candy game" with the minors, the legal counsel said, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and ask them to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She informed the proceedings the defendant had played this game with the young males "for many years", and children had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She explained Ruben had been able to explain this over a long period as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had suspicions in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "Recently" his family member had concerns about the activities, with valid cause.
"They decided to have a look in the man's possessions."
The prosecutor explained materials including baby oil, ointment and medical needles were located, and his stepson alerted the law enforcement about his worries.
She said Ruben proceeded to engage in the "sweet game" with six children that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the following morning.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that time," she continued.
The oversight body, the police conduct office, had stated that it was investigating the police response of the situation.
Mrs Prior stated the youngsters were struggling to walk due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson contacted the law enforcement once more.
She explained Ruben then played the "candy game" in a room of five minors.
