An individual who contaminated sweets with sleeping medication and provided them to minors at a summer program in the region has admitted sexual crimes against two children aged nine and 10.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight minors and one adult became sick at the location in mid-summer.
The senior citizen, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
Yet, he disputed one particular crime he was facing, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was kept in jail ahead of a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Candy game'
The legal representative, handling the case, outlined Ruben's offending to the court.
She explained his those affected were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a summer program which he managed.
The defendant played a "candy game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor stated, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She told the court Ruben had conducted this practice with the young males "for many years", and children had previously become sick the following morning.
She stated the defendant had been capable of justifying this for many years as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had suspicions in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "This year his stepson had concerns about the activities, with valid cause.
"They decided to have a look in the individual's items."
Mrs Prior KC explained materials including baby oil, petroleum jelly and medical needles were discovered, and his stepchild notified the police about his worries.
She said the defendant proceeded to play the "sweet game" with six children that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that stage," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was examining the police response of the incident.
The legal representative stated the minors were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so the family member notified the authorities again.
She explained the defendant then played the "treat game" in a area of five youngsters.
