An individual who spiked treats with tranquilliser and distributed them to children at a summer program in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual offences against two young males aged nine and 10.
The accused was detained after eight children and one adult experienced illness at the facility in the summer month.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at the courthouse on Friday.
Yet, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was involving a young boy.
Ruben was kept in jail ahead of a further hearing on late November.
'Candy game'
The prosecutor, handling the case, outlined Ruben's offending to the court.
She stated his those affected were under-privileged children who were staying at a summer program which he operated.
The defendant engaged in a "sweet game" with the children, the prosecutor said, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to ingest treats "as fast as possible".
She told the court the defendant had played this game with the children "repeatedly", and minors had previously become sick the subsequent day.
She explained the defendant had been able to explain this over a long period as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had concerns in summer 2025.
The prosecutor continued: "In the summer" his stepson had suspicions about the situation, with valid cause.
"They chose" to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC said objects including lubricant, petroleum jelly and medical needles were located, and his family member alerted the authorities about his concerns.
She stated the man proceeded to play the "sweet game" with six boys that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the next day.
"The police had not arrived by that time," she added.
The oversight body, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the events.
Mrs Prior explained the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson notified the police once more.
She said the defendant then conducted the "sweet game" in a room of five youngsters.
