An individual who contaminated treats with tranquilliser and gave them to minors at a summer program in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual offenses against two young males aged nine and ten years old.
The accused was arrested after eight children and an older person became sick at the location in mid-summer.
The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
Yet, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was against a nine-year-old boy.
Ruben was remanded in custody before a additional proceeding on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, detailed the criminal behavior to the court.
She explained his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were participating in a summer program which he operated.
Ruben played a "treat game" with the children, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and request they to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge the man had engaged in this activity with the young males "over an extended period", and children had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She stated Ruben had been able to explain this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepchild had concerns in July 2025.
The legal representative added: "This year his stepson had worries about the activities, with valid cause.
"They resolved" to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor said items including infant oil, petroleum jelly and injection devices were located, and his stepchild contacted the authorities about his suspicions.
She stated the man continued to play the "sweet game" with six children that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the next day.
"The police had not gone out by that stage," she continued.
The oversight body, the investigative body, previously told that it was investigating the police response of the events.
The prosecutor explained the children were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so the stepson contacted the authorities once more.
She stated the defendant then played the "treat game" in a space of five youngsters.
