A man who contaminated candy with sedative and gave them to minors at a summer program in the region has admitted sexual offences against two boys who were between nine and ten.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight minors and a grown-up fell ill at the location in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
Yet, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was kept in jail prior to a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
The prosecutor, presenting evidence, described the defendant's actions to the court.
She explained his victims were under-privileged children who were participating in a summer camp which he ran.
The man conducted a "candy game" with the children, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and tell them to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge the defendant had played this game with the boys "for many years", and minors had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She said Ruben had been able to explain this over a long period as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepchild had suspicions in summer 2025.
The legal representative added: "This year his stepchild had suspicions about the activities, justifiably.
"They chose" to have a look in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel said objects including baby oil, ointment and syringes were found, and his family member notified the authorities about his worries.
She stated Ruben continued to conduct the "treat game" with six children that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the following morning.
"The police had not gone out by that time," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was examining law enforcement's management of the incident.
The prosecutor stated the children were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so the stepson contacted the police once more.
She stated the defendant then engaged in the "candy game" in a room of five minors.
