A man who spiked sweets with sleeping medication and gave them to minors at a summer program in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two children who were between nine and ten.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight youngsters and a grown-up fell ill at the location in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he stood at the judicial center on the end of the week.
Nevertheless, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was kept in jail ahead of a additional proceeding on November 28th.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, presenting evidence, detailed Ruben's offending to the court.
She explained his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a summer program which he managed.
Ruben engaged in a "sweet game" with the minors, the legal counsel explained, in which he would go into the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and request they to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had played this game with the boys "over an extended period", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She stated the man had been able to explain this for many years as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had concerns in summer 2025.
The legal representative continued: "This year his family member had concerns about the activities, justifiably.
"They chose" to examine in the individual's items."
The prosecutor explained objects including infant oil, petroleum jelly and syringes were found, and his stepson notified the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She explained Ruben proceeded to conduct the "candy game" with six children that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the next day.
"The police had not gone out by that point," she continued.
The police watchdog, the police conduct office, previously told that it was examining Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
Mrs Prior stated the children were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so the stepson notified the authorities a second time.
She explained the defendant then conducted the "sweet game" in a area of five minors.
