A man who laced treats with sleeping medication and provided them to youngsters at a summer program in the region has confessed to sexual offenses against two young males aged nine and ten years old.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight minors and an older person became sick at the location in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at the courthouse on the end of the week.
Nevertheless, he denied a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was involving a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was remanded in custody ahead of a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Treat game'
The prosecutor, prosecuting, detailed the criminal behavior to the court.
She said his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a summer program which he ran.
The man conducted a "candy game" with the minors, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were settling down and ask them to ingest treats "as fast as possible".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had conducted this practice with the children "for many years", and minors had previously fallen ill the next day.
She said the man had been able to explain this for many years as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had worries in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "In the summer" his stepchild had concerns about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They resolved" to examine in the individual's items."
The prosecutor stated items including infant oil, ointment and medical needles were discovered, and his family member notified the police about his suspicions.
She said Ruben continued to engage in the "candy game" with six children that night - that Saturday - and they were all ill the next day.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that stage," she added.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was examining Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
The legal representative explained the minors were struggling to walk due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson called the law enforcement once more.
She said the defendant then engaged in the "treat game" in a space of five minors.
