An individual who spiked sweets with sedative and provided them to children at a summer program in the region has confessed to sexual crimes against two boys who were nine and ten years old.
The accused was arrested after eight children and a grown-up fell ill at the facility in July.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, admitted guilt to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
Yet, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was against a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was remanded in custody ahead of a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
The legal representative, prosecuting, detailed the criminal behavior to the court.
She said his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a summer program which he ran.
The man conducted a "candy game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to eat sweets "rapidly".
She stated to the judge Ruben had engaged in this activity with the children "for many years", and minors had previously fallen ill the next day.
She stated Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had concerns in July 2025.
The prosecutor stated further: "This year his stepson had suspicions about the activities, for good reason.
"They chose" to examine in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel said items including baby oil, ointment and syringes were discovered, and his stepchild alerted the law enforcement about his concerns.
She stated Ruben proceeded to play the "candy game" with six children that evening - July 26th - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that point," she stated further.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was examining law enforcement's management of the events.
Mrs Prior explained the children were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so the stepson contacted the police again.
She said the man then engaged in the "candy game" in a area of five youngsters.
