A man who spiked treats with tranquilliser and gave them to children at a summer program in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two boys both nine and ten years old.
The defendant was detained after eight children and an older person experienced illness at the location in July.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was held in detention ahead of a further hearing on late November.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, detailed Ruben's offending to the court.
She explained his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a summer program which he ran.
Ruben conducted a "sweet game" with the children, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to eat sweets "rapidly".
She stated to the judge Ruben had conducted this practice with the boys "over an extended period", and minors had previously fallen ill the next day.
She said the man had been capable of justifying this repeatedly as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepchild had suspicions in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "Recently" his family member had suspicions about the activities, for good reason.
"They chose" to investigate in the individual's items."
The legal counsel stated objects including infant oil, petroleum jelly and syringes were discovered, and his family member alerted the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She stated Ruben proceeded to conduct the "candy game" with six children that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that time," she added.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was examining Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
The prosecutor explained the children were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so the family member contacted the law enforcement once more.
She stated Ruben then conducted the "candy game" in a space of five children.
