A man who laced sweets with sedative and provided them to youngsters at a summer program in the area has confessed to sexual crimes against two boys aged nine and 10.
The accused was arrested after eight youngsters and a grown-up experienced illness at the facility in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at the judicial center on recently.
However, he denied one particular crime he was facing, which was against a nine-year-old boy.
The defendant was remanded in custody ahead of a subsequent court date on November 28th.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, described Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She stated his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were participating in a summer program which he ran.
Ruben conducted a "candy game" with the minors, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and request they to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".
She informed the proceedings the man had conducted this practice with the boys "repeatedly", and youngsters had previously become sick the following morning.
She stated the man had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had concerns in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "Recently" his family member had worries about the activities, with valid cause.
"They chose" to investigate in the individual's items."
The legal counsel stated materials including baby oil, petroleum jelly and injection devices were found, and his stepson notified the police about his worries.
She stated Ruben continued to engage in the "treat game" with six children that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"The police had not responded by that stage," she added.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was examining Leicestershire Police's handling of the events.
Mrs Prior explained the children were struggling to walk due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson notified the authorities again.
She said the man then conducted the "treat game" in a room of five youngsters.
