A man who laced candy with sleeping medication and distributed them to children at a summer camp in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual offenses against two children aged nine and 10.
The accused was taken into custody after eight children and an older person became sick at the location in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from that region, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he was present at the judicial center on Friday.
However, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was involving a nine-year-old boy.
The defendant was held in detention ahead of a further hearing on 28 November.
'Candy game'
The prosecutor, handling the case, described Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She stated his targets were under-privileged children who were staying at a summer program which he operated.
Ruben engaged in a "sweet game" with the children, Mrs Prior said, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were settling down and tell them to ingest treats "as fast as possible".
She informed the proceedings the man had played this game with the children "for many years", and minors had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She said Ruben had been capable of justifying this for many years as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", 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 investigate in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel explained materials including infant oil, Vaseline and injection devices were found, and his family member notified the police about his worries.
She said Ruben continued to engage in the "candy game" with six youngsters that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that point," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was examining law enforcement's management of the events.
Mrs Prior explained the children were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson called the law enforcement a second time.
She explained Ruben then conducted the "treat game" in a room of five children.
