A man who contaminated sweets with sleeping medication and provided them to youngsters at a summer program in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two young males who were nine and ten years old.
The defendant was detained after eight minors and a grown-up experienced illness at the location in July.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at the courthouse on the end of the week.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was facing, which was concerning a young boy.
The defendant was held in detention before a subsequent court date on late November.
'Sweet game'
The legal representative, handling the case, described the defendant's actions to the legal proceedings.
She stated his those affected were under-privileged children who were participating in a summer program which he operated.
Ruben played a "candy game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor said, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were settling down and tell them to ingest treats "rapidly".
She stated to the judge Ruben had conducted this practice with the children "repeatedly", and children had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She said the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had worries in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC added: "This year his stepchild had concerns about what was going on, justifiably.
"They resolved" to have a look in the man's possessions."
The prosecutor said materials including infant oil, Vaseline and injection devices were found, and his family member notified the police about his suspicions.
She said Ruben continued to play the "candy game" with six children that time - that Saturday - and they were all ill the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that point," she added.
The oversight body, the investigative body, had stated that it was reviewing the police response of the events.
Mrs Prior stated the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so the stepson notified the police a second time.
She stated Ruben then played the "sweet game" in a space of five minors.
