An individual who spiked candy with sleeping medication and distributed them to children at a summer program in the region has confessed to sexual crimes against two children who were nine and 10.
The defendant was arrested after eight children and a grown-up became sick at the location in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
However, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was facing, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
Ruben was remanded in custody before a additional proceeding on late November.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, detailed the defendant's actions to the court.
She said his those affected were under-privileged children who were staying at a summer program which he ran.
The man conducted a "treat game" with the children, the prosecutor explained, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and request they to consume candy "rapidly".
She informed the proceedings the defendant had played this game with the young males "over an extended period", and minors had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She explained Ruben had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had suspicions in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "This year his stepson had worries about what was going on, for good reason.
"They decided to have a look in the individual's items."
The prosecutor said materials including baby oil, ointment and injection devices were located, and his stepson alerted the authorities about his concerns.
She said the man proceeded to engage in the "candy game" with six boys that night - July 26th - and they were all ill the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that point," she added.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the events.
Mrs Prior explained the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so the stepson called the law enforcement a second time.
She said the defendant then played the "candy game" in a area of five children.
