An individual who contaminated sweets with sleeping medication and distributed them to minors at a summer program in Leicestershire has admitted sexual offenses against two boys who were between nine and ten.
The defendant was detained after eight youngsters and a grown-up became sick at the location in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he stood at the courthouse on recently.
However, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was remanded in custody prior to a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, outlined the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She explained his victims were under-privileged children who were attending a summer program which he managed.
Ruben conducted a "treat game" with the minors, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She informed the proceedings the defendant had played this game with the boys "over an extended period", and children had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She said the man had been able to explain this over a long period as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had worries in summer 2025.
The legal representative added: "Recently" his stepson had concerns about the activities, with valid cause.
"They chose" to examine in the man's possessions."
The prosecutor explained items including lubricant, petroleum jelly and syringes were found, and his stepson notified the authorities about his suspicions.
She explained the defendant went on to play the "treat game" with six youngsters that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that time," she stated further.
The oversight body, the police conduct office, had stated that it was investigating the police response of the events.
The legal representative said the youngsters were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson notified the police once more.
She said the defendant then engaged in the "candy game" in a room of five children.
