A person who contaminated candy with sleeping medication and provided them to children at a summer program in the area has confessed to sexual offenses against two boys both nine and 10.
The accused was taken into custody after eight minors and an older person became sick at the location in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he was present at the judicial center on recently.
Yet, he denied one particular crime he was accused of, which was involving a young boy.
Ruben was kept in jail prior to a subsequent court date on late November.
'Sweet game'
The legal representative, handling the case, described the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She stated his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a youth camp which he operated.
Ruben engaged in a "sweet game" with the children, the prosecutor stated, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to eat sweets "rapidly".
She told the court the man had conducted this practice with the boys "repeatedly", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the next day.
She said Ruben had been able to explain this for many years as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepchild had worries in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC added: "In the summer" his family member had suspicions about the activities, justifiably.
"They resolved" to examine in the individual's items."
Mrs Prior KC said materials including baby oil, Vaseline and syringes were discovered, and his family member alerted the authorities about his suspicions.
She explained Ruben proceeded to conduct the "treat game" with six youngsters that time - July 26th - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"The police had not gone out by that stage," she continued.
The police watchdog, the police conduct office, previously told that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.
Mrs Prior explained the children were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so the stepson notified the law enforcement once more.
She explained the man then engaged in the "treat game" in a area of five youngsters.
