A man who contaminated candy with sleeping medication and gave them to children at a summer program in the area has admitted sexual crimes against two children who were between nine and ten.
The defendant was arrested after eight minors and a grown-up became sick at the facility in July.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit one particular crime he was accused of, which was involving a nine-year-old boy.
Ruben was held in detention prior to a further hearing on 28 November.
'Treat game'
The prosecutor, presenting evidence, detailed the defendant's actions to the court.
She said his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a summer camp which he managed.
The defendant played a "candy game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel said, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to ingest treats "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge Ruben had engaged in this activity with the children "repeatedly", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She said the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepchild had worries in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC added: "Recently" his stepchild had suspicions about the activities, with valid cause.
"They chose" to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC said objects including infant oil, petroleum jelly and syringes were located, and his stepchild contacted the police about his suspicions.
She stated the defendant went on to engage in the "sweet game" with six boys that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the following morning.
"The police had not responded by that time," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, had stated that it was examining the police response of the incident.
The legal representative stated the minors were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so the family member called the law enforcement again.
She said Ruben then played the "candy game" in a space of five children.
