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A man who contaminated sweets with sedative and provided them to minors at a summer program in Leicestershire has admitted sexual offenses against two boys aged nine and ten years old.

The accused was taken into custody after eight children and an older person fell ill at the facility in the summer month.

The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at the judicial center on the end of the week.

Yet, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was concerning a young boy.

The accused was remanded in custody before a additional proceeding on late November.

'Treat game'

The prosecutor, presenting evidence, outlined the defendant's actions to the court.

She explained his targets were under-privileged children who were attending a summer camp which he operated.

Ruben engaged in a "sweet game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel explained, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to eat sweets "rapidly".

She stated to the judge Ruben had played this game with the children "for many years", and minors had previously fallen ill the next day.

She said Ruben had been able to explain this over a long period as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had concerns in summer 2025.

The prosecutor added: "Recently" his stepchild had worries about what was going on, justifiably.

"They chose" to have a look in the defendant's belongings."

The prosecutor explained objects including infant oil, petroleum jelly and injection devices were discovered, and his stepson alerted the police about his suspicions.

She explained the defendant continued to conduct the "treat game" with six boys that evening - that Saturday - and they were all sick the following morning.

"The police had not gone out by that point," she added.

The police watchdog, the police conduct office, had stated that it was investigating the police response of the events.

The prosecutor stated the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so the stepson notified the authorities once more.

She stated Ruben then conducted the "treat game" in a space of five youngsters.