A man who laced candy with sleeping medication and provided them to youngsters at a summer program in Leicestershire has admitted sexual offences against two young males both nine and 10.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight minors and one adult fell ill at the location in the summer month.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at the judicial center on the end of the week.
Yet, he disputed a single sexual charge he was facing, which was against a nine-year-old boy.
Ruben was held in detention before a further hearing on November 28th.
'Sweet game'
The legal representative, presenting evidence, outlined the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She explained his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a summer program which he ran.
The man played a "treat game" with the children, the legal counsel stated, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge the man had played this game with the children "over an extended period", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She said the man had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had concerns in summer 2025.
The legal representative continued: "This year his family member had worries about the situation, with valid cause.
"They decided to have a look in the individual's items."
The prosecutor said objects including infant oil, ointment and syringes were discovered, and his family member alerted the authorities about his concerns.
She said the defendant went on to conduct the "treat game" with six youngsters that time - that Saturday - and they were all sick the next day.
"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that stage," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the police conduct office, had stated that it was reviewing the police response of the events.
The prosecutor explained the children were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so the family member contacted the authorities once more.
She said the defendant then engaged in the "sweet game" in a room of five youngsters.
