A person who spiked candy with sedative and gave them to minors at a summer program in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual offenses against two young males both between nine and ten.
The defendant was arrested after eight youngsters and a grown-up fell ill at Stathern Lodge in July.
The senior citizen, from that region, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at the judicial center on Friday.
Yet, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was involving a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was held in detention before a further hearing on 28 November.
'Candy game'
The prosecutor, presenting evidence, detailed the criminal behavior to the court.
She stated his targets were under-privileged children who were participating in a summer program which he managed.
Ruben engaged in a "treat game" with the minors, the prosecutor stated, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and ask them to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She informed the proceedings the man had conducted this practice with the young males "repeatedly", and minors had previously become sick the subsequent day.
She stated the man had been able to explain this repeatedly as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had worries in July 2025.
The prosecutor added: "This year his stepson had worries about the situation, justifiably.
"They chose" to examine in the individual's items."
The prosecutor stated objects including baby oil, ointment and injection devices were found, and his stepchild alerted the authorities about his concerns.
She explained Ruben went on to conduct the "treat game" with six children that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"The police had not arrived by that time," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was examining law enforcement's management of the incident.
Mrs Prior stated the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so the stepson notified the law enforcement once more.
She said Ruben then played the "treat game" in a area of five children.
