A man who contaminated candy with tranquilliser and distributed them to minors at a summer program in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual offenses against two children aged nine and ten years old.
The defendant was arrested after eight minors and a grown-up fell ill at the location in July.
The senior citizen, from that region, admitted guilt to a total of 17 charges when he was present at the courthouse on Friday.
However, he disputed one particular crime he was charged with, which was involving a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was kept in jail prior to a additional proceeding on late November.
'Treat game'
The prosecutor, handling the case, outlined Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She said his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a summer program which he ran.
Ruben played a "candy game" with the minors, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and ask them to ingest treats "rapidly".
She told the court Ruben had conducted this practice with the young males "for many years", and children had previously become sick the subsequent day.
She explained the man had been able to explain this over a long period as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had worries in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC added: "In the summer" his family member had concerns about what was going on, for good reason.
"They resolved" to examine in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel said materials including baby oil, Vaseline and medical needles were discovered, and his stepchild alerted the authorities about his worries.
She said the defendant proceeded to play the "candy game" with six youngsters that night - July 26th - and they were all sick the next day.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that stage," she added.
The oversight body, the police conduct office, had stated that it was examining Leicestershire Police's handling of the events.
The legal representative explained the youngsters were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson called the law enforcement a second time.
She stated Ruben then played the "candy game" in a space of five youngsters.
