A man who spiked sweets with tranquilliser and gave them to children at a summer program in the region has confessed to sexual offenses against two young males both nine and ten years old.
The accused was taken into custody after eight children and an older person became sick at the location in July.
The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
Yet, he denied a single sexual charge he was facing, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
Ruben was remanded in custody prior to a additional proceeding on November 28th.
'Sweet game'
The prosecutor, presenting evidence, detailed Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She said his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a summer camp which he operated.
The man conducted a "sweet game" with the children, Mrs Prior said, in which he would go into the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and request they to consume candy "rapidly".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had played this game with the young males "repeatedly", and children had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She said the man had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had concerns in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC added: "This year his stepson had worries about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They resolved" to examine in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC explained objects including baby oil, ointment and injection devices were discovered, and his stepson contacted the authorities about his suspicions.
She stated the man proceeded to play the "sweet game" with six boys that time - that Saturday - and they were all ill the following morning.
"The police had not arrived by that stage," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, previously told that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the situation.
The legal representative said the children were struggling to walk due to their condition, so the family member contacted the law enforcement once more.
She said Ruben then played the "treat game" in a area of five minors.
