A man who contaminated candy with sedative and distributed them to minors at a summer program in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two young males who were nine and ten years old.
The defendant was detained after eight minors and a grown-up fell ill at the location in the summer month.
The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he stood at the courthouse on recently.
Yet, he disputed one particular crime he was facing, which was concerning a young boy.
Ruben was remanded in custody ahead of a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Candy game'
The legal representative, presenting evidence, described Ruben's offending to the court.
She said his victims were under-privileged children who were staying at a summer program which he operated.
Ruben engaged in a "candy game" with the minors, the legal counsel said, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to consume candy "rapidly".
She stated to the judge the man had engaged in this activity with the boys "over an extended period", and minors had previously become sick the following morning.
She stated Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had concerns in summer 2025.
The prosecutor continued: "Recently" his family member had suspicions about the activities, justifiably.
"They chose" to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel stated materials including infant oil, Vaseline and medical needles were found, and his stepson alerted the authorities about his suspicions.
She stated the defendant proceeded to play the "treat game" with six children that time - that Saturday - and they were all ill the following morning.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that time," she stated further.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was investigating the police response of the situation.
The legal representative stated the minors were struggling to walk due to being ill, so the family member called the authorities a second time.
She stated the man then played the "treat game" in a area of five minors.
