A man who contaminated candy with sedative and provided them to children at a summer program in the region has admitted sexual offences against two young males both nine and 10.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight youngsters and a grown-up experienced illness at the location in July.
The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
However, he refused to admit one particular crime he was accused of, which was against a young boy.
Ruben was kept in jail before a further hearing on late November.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, detailed Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She stated his victims were under-privileged children who were participating in a summer program which he managed.
Ruben played a "treat game" with the children, the prosecutor said, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She told the court the defendant had engaged in this activity with the young males "over an extended period", and minors had previously become sick the next day.
She said Ruben had been able to explain this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had suspicions in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "This year his family member had suspicions about the activities, for good reason.
"They decided to investigate in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC explained materials including infant oil, petroleum jelly and injection devices were located, and his stepson contacted the law enforcement about his worries.
She said Ruben went on to play the "sweet game" with six youngsters that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the following morning.
"The police had not responded by that stage," she continued.
The regulatory agency, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the situation.
The legal representative said the youngsters were struggling to walk due to being ill, so the family member notified the police once more.
She stated the defendant then conducted the "sweet game" in a room of five children.
