A person who laced sweets with tranquilliser and distributed them to minors at a summer program in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two young males aged between nine and ten.
The defendant was detained after eight minors and an older person experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he was present at the courthouse on recently.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was involving a young boy.
The defendant was remanded in custody ahead of a subsequent court date on November 28th.
'Sweet game'
The legal representative, presenting evidence, detailed the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She said his victims were under-privileged children who were participating in a summer program which he ran.
The man conducted a "treat game" with the children, the prosecutor explained, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She told the court Ruben had conducted this practice with the children "for many years", and children had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She said Ruben had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had worries in July 2025.
The legal representative continued: "This year his family member had suspicions about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They chose" to investigate in the individual's items."
The legal counsel explained objects including infant oil, Vaseline and injection devices were discovered, and his stepson contacted the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She explained the man continued to engage in the "treat game" with six youngsters that night - that Saturday - and they were all sick the next day.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that point," she added.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was investigating the police response of the incident.
The prosecutor explained the children were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson contacted the police again.
She said the defendant then conducted the "candy game" in a room of five children.
