A man who contaminated treats with tranquilliser and provided them to youngsters at a summer program in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two children both nine and ten years old.
The defendant was arrested after eight children and a grown-up experienced illness at the facility in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
Nevertheless, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was concerning a young boy.
The accused was kept in jail before a additional proceeding on November 28th.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, described the criminal behavior to the court.
She said his those affected were disadvantaged youngsters who were staying at a summer program which he ran.
The defendant conducted a "treat game" with the children, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and request they to ingest treats "as fast as possible".
She informed the proceedings the defendant had engaged in this activity with the boys "repeatedly", and minors had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She stated Ruben had been able to explain this over a long period as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepchild had suspicions in summer 2025.
The legal representative stated further: "Recently" his stepchild had worries about the activities, for good reason.
"They resolved" to have a look in the individual's items."
The legal counsel said materials including infant oil, Vaseline and medical needles were discovered, and his stepchild alerted the police about his concerns.
She stated Ruben went on to engage in the "sweet game" with six boys that night - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that time," she continued.
The police watchdog, the police conduct office, had stated that it was reviewing the police response of the situation.
The prosecutor explained the youngsters were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so the family member called the police again.
She said the defendant then played the "candy game" in a room of five children.
