A man who laced treats with sleeping medication and gave them to minors at a summer program in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two young males aged between nine and ten.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight minors and a grown-up experienced illness at the facility in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts 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 against a young boy.
The accused was remanded in custody ahead of a further hearing on 28 November.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, outlined Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She explained his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a summer program which he operated.
The man engaged in a "candy game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and request they to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".
She informed the proceedings the man had conducted this practice with the children "for many years", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She explained Ruben had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had worries in July 2025.
The legal representative stated further: "This year his family member had concerns about the situation, justifiably.
"They chose" to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor stated objects including baby oil, petroleum jelly and injection devices were discovered, and his stepchild notified the authorities about his concerns.
She explained the defendant went on to engage in the "candy game" with six boys that night - that Saturday - and they were all ill the next day.
"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that stage," she continued.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, had stated that it was examining law enforcement's management of the events.
The prosecutor explained the children were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so the stepson notified the law enforcement a second time.
She stated the man then conducted the "sweet game" in a room of five youngsters.
