An individual who laced treats with sedative and gave them to minors at a summer program in the region has admitted sexual offenses against two boys who were nine and ten years old.
The defendant was arrested after eight children and a grown-up fell ill at the facility in the summer month.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at the judicial center on the end of the week.
Yet, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was involving a young boy.
Ruben was remanded in custody prior to a further hearing on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, outlined the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She said his those affected were under-privileged children who were staying at a summer program which he operated.
The man played a "sweet game" with the children, the legal counsel said, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were settling down and tell them to eat sweets "rapidly".
She stated to the judge the defendant had engaged in this activity with the children "over an extended period", and minors had previously fallen ill the next day.
She explained Ruben had been able to explain this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had concerns in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC added: "Recently" his stepson had suspicions about what was going on, for good reason.
"They decided to investigate in the man's possessions."
The prosecutor stated items including baby oil, Vaseline and medical needles were found, and his stepson alerted the authorities about his concerns.
She explained the defendant continued to engage in the "treat game" with six boys that night - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the next day.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that point," she added.
The regulatory agency, the police conduct office, previously told that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.
The prosecutor said the youngsters were struggling to walk due to being ill, so the stepson contacted the authorities again.
She explained Ruben then engaged in the "treat game" in a space of five children.
