A person who spiked candy with sedative and distributed them to minors at a summer program in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two children who were nine and ten years old.
The accused was detained after eight children and one adult experienced illness at the facility in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he was present at the courthouse on Friday.
However, he denied one particular crime he was charged with, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
Ruben was kept in jail ahead of a further hearing on late November.
'Candy game'
The legal representative, prosecuting, outlined the defendant's actions to the court.
She said his victims were under-privileged children who were attending a summer camp which he managed.
Ruben played a "sweet game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to ingest treats "rapidly".
She stated to the judge the man had played this game with the children "for many years", and minors had previously become sick the following morning.
She explained the defendant had been able to explain this over a long period as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had concerns in summer 2025.
The prosecutor added: "Recently" his stepchild had concerns about the activities, with valid cause.
"They resolved" to examine in the individual's items."
The prosecutor said objects including infant oil, petroleum jelly and syringes were found, and his stepson contacted the law enforcement about his concerns.
She said the defendant continued to engage in the "sweet game" with six boys that evening - July 26th - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that time," she continued.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was examining Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.
The legal representative stated the children were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson contacted the law enforcement a second time.
She explained the defendant then played the "treat game" in a area of five minors.
