A man who laced sweets with sedative and distributed them to children at a summer program in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two young males aged nine and ten years old.
The accused was arrested after eight minors and an older person fell ill at the location in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at the courthouse on recently.
Nevertheless, he denied one particular crime he was accused of, which was concerning a young boy.
Ruben was held in detention ahead of a further hearing on late November.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, handling the case, outlined Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She stated his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a summer program which he managed.
The man conducted a "treat game" with the minors, Mrs Prior said, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge Ruben had engaged in this activity with the children "over an extended period", and minors had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She explained the man had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had suspicions in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC added: "This year his stepson had suspicions about what was going on, for good reason.
"They resolved" to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel stated materials including lubricant, Vaseline and medical needles were located, and his family member notified the authorities about his concerns.
She explained Ruben went on to play the "treat game" with six boys that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"The police had not responded by that stage," she added.
The regulatory agency, the police conduct office, previously told that it was examining Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.
Mrs Prior stated the children were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so the stepson contacted the police again.
She stated Ruben then engaged in the "sweet game" in a area of five youngsters.
