An individual who laced sweets with sleeping medication and distributed them to children at a summer program in Leicestershire has admitted sexual crimes against two children both nine and 10.
The accused was taken into custody after eight minors and one adult fell ill at Stathern Lodge in July.
The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at the courthouse on Friday.
However, he refused to admit one particular crime he was accused of, which was against a young boy.
Ruben was kept in jail ahead of a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
The legal representative, handling the case, described Ruben's offending to the court.
She stated his those affected were under-privileged children who were participating in a summer program which he managed.
Ruben conducted a "sweet game" with the minors, the legal counsel stated, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and request they to eat sweets "rapidly".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had conducted this practice with the boys "for many years", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She said the man had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had concerns in summer 2025.
The legal representative continued: "Recently" his family member had worries about what was going on, justifiably.
"They resolved" to investigate in the man's possessions."
The prosecutor said materials including lubricant, petroleum jelly and syringes were discovered, and his family member notified the law enforcement about his worries.
She said Ruben went on to engage in the "candy game" with six children that time - July 26th - and they were all sick the next day.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that stage," she continued.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the situation.
The prosecutor stated the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson called the police once more.
She stated the man then conducted the "sweet game" in a space of five minors.
