An individual who contaminated sweets with sedative and distributed them to youngsters at a summer program in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two boys who were nine and 10.
The defendant was arrested after eight children and one adult experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in July.
The elderly man, from that region, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he stood at the courthouse on Friday.
Nevertheless, he denied a single sexual charge he was facing, which was against a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was remanded in custody before a subsequent court date on late November.
'Treat game'
The prosecutor, handling the case, outlined Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She stated his those affected were under-privileged children who were participating in a summer program which he ran.
The man played a "treat game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel explained, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She told the court the man had conducted this practice with the young males "for many years", and minors had previously become sick the subsequent day.
She explained the man had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had suspicions in summer 2025.
The legal representative stated further: "In the summer" his stepchild had suspicions about the activities, justifiably.
"They resolved" to have a look in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel stated objects including infant oil, petroleum jelly and injection devices were located, and his stepchild contacted the authorities about his concerns.
She said the defendant went on to engage in the "sweet game" with six youngsters that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the next day.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that stage," she added.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was examining the police response of the events.
The prosecutor explained the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so the stepson notified the law enforcement again.
She stated the defendant then conducted the "treat game" in a room of five minors.
