An individual who spiked candy with sedative and gave them to children at a summer program in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual offenses against two boys both nine and ten years old.
The defendant was detained after eight children and one adult fell ill at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
However, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
The accused was kept in jail ahead of a subsequent court date on late November.
'Sweet game'
The prosecutor, prosecuting, detailed the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She explained his those affected were under-privileged children who were staying at a summer program which he ran.
Ruben engaged in a "treat game" with the minors, the legal counsel stated, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge Ruben had conducted this practice with the boys "over an extended period", and minors had previously become sick the following morning.
She explained the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had suspicions in July 2025.
The prosecutor continued: "Recently" his family member had concerns about what was going on, for good reason.
"They resolved" to examine in the individual's items."
The legal counsel explained items including lubricant, Vaseline and medical needles were found, and his stepchild notified the authorities about his suspicions.
She stated the defendant continued to engage in the "sweet game" with six youngsters that evening - that Saturday - and they were all sick the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that point," she added.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, previously told that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the events.
The legal representative said the children were struggling to walk due to being ill, so the family member notified the law enforcement again.
She said the man then conducted the "treat game" in a room of five youngsters.
