A person who contaminated sweets with tranquilliser and gave them to minors at a summer program in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two children who were nine and ten years old.
The defendant was arrested after eight youngsters and one adult fell ill at the location in July.
The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at the courthouse on recently.
Nevertheless, he disputed one particular crime he was charged with, which was concerning a young boy.
The accused was remanded in custody before a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, detailed Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She explained his those affected were under-privileged children who were participating in a summer camp which he operated.
The defendant engaged in a "treat game" with the minors, the prosecutor stated, in which he would go into the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and request they to consume candy "rapidly".
She stated to the judge the defendant had played this game with the boys "repeatedly", and children had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She said the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had worries in July 2025.
The prosecutor added: "This year his stepson had worries about the activities, for good reason.
"They resolved" to examine in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel stated objects including lubricant, ointment and injection devices were found, and his stepchild alerted the authorities about his concerns.
She said Ruben proceeded to conduct the "sweet game" with six boys that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the next day.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that stage," she added.
The regulatory agency, the police conduct office, previously told that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the incident.
The prosecutor explained the minors were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson notified the police a second time.
She said Ruben then played the "treat game" in a area of five minors.
