A person who spiked treats with sleeping medication and gave them to youngsters at a summer program in the region has confessed to sexual offences against two boys who were nine and 10.
The accused was arrested after eight children and one adult became sick at the facility in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at the courthouse on recently.
However, he denied one particular crime he was charged with, which was against a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was held in detention ahead of a additional proceeding on November 28th.
'Sweet game'
The prosecutor, presenting evidence, outlined the criminal behavior to the judicial body.
She said his those affected were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a summer camp which he operated.
Ruben conducted a "candy game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel said, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and request they to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She told the court the man had played this game with the young males "repeatedly", and minors had previously fallen ill the next day.
She said the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepchild had worries in July 2025.
The prosecutor stated further: "This year his stepchild had worries about the situation, justifiably.
"They chose" to investigate in the man's possessions."
The prosecutor stated items including infant oil, ointment and syringes were discovered, and his family member contacted the police about his suspicions.
She explained the defendant continued to play the "treat game" with six youngsters that time - that Saturday - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that point," she added.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, had stated that it was examining Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.
The prosecutor explained the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so the family member called the police once more.
She explained the defendant then played the "candy game" in a space of five children.
