An individual who laced candy with sedative and gave them to youngsters at a summer program in the region has confessed to sexual crimes against two boys both nine and ten years old.
The accused was detained after eight youngsters and a grown-up fell ill at the facility in the summer month.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, admitted guilt to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
Nevertheless, he denied a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was kept in jail ahead of a subsequent court date on late November.
'Sweet game'
The legal representative, presenting evidence, detailed the defendant's actions to the court.
She explained his those affected were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a summer camp which he ran.
Ruben conducted a "candy game" with the minors, the prosecutor said, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were settling down and request they to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge Ruben had conducted this practice with the young males "for many years", and children had previously become sick the following morning.
She said the defendant had been capable of justifying this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepchild had worries in July 2025.
The legal representative stated further: "Recently" his stepchild had suspicions about the situation, with valid cause.
"They chose" to investigate in the man's possessions."
The prosecutor explained items including baby oil, ointment and injection devices were found, and his stepson contacted the police about his worries.
She stated the man continued to play the "candy game" with six boys that evening - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that time," she stated further.
The oversight body, the police conduct office, previously told that it was examining Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.
The prosecutor said the minors were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so the stepson contacted the authorities once more.
She said the man then played the "treat game" in a room of five youngsters.
