A man who contaminated treats with tranquilliser and gave them to children at a summer program in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two boys aged between nine and ten.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight minors and one adult fell ill at the location in July.
The 76-year-old, from that region, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at the courthouse on recently.
Yet, he denied one particular crime he was facing, which was against a young boy.
The defendant was remanded in custody ahead of a additional proceeding on November 28th.
'Candy game'
The legal representative, prosecuting, detailed Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She said his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a summer program which he operated.
Ruben engaged in a "candy game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and request they to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge the defendant had played this game with the boys "for many years", and children had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She explained the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had concerns in summer 2025.
The prosecutor continued: "Recently" his stepchild had concerns about the situation, for good reason.
"They decided to examine in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC said objects including lubricant, Vaseline and injection devices were found, and his stepchild alerted the authorities about his concerns.
She stated the defendant went on to engage in the "candy game" with six children that evening - July 26th - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that stage," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was reviewing the police response of the incident.
The prosecutor explained the minors were struggling to walk due to their condition, so the family member called the law enforcement once more.
She said the man then engaged in the "candy game" in a area of five children.
