An individual who contaminated sweets with tranquilliser and gave them to children at a summer program in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual offences against two young males aged between nine and ten.
The defendant was arrested after eight children and a grown-up fell ill at the facility in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he was present at the courthouse on the end of the week.
However, he refused to admit one particular crime he was accused of, which was involving a young boy.
The defendant was held in detention prior to a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
The prosecutor, presenting evidence, detailed Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She stated his those affected were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a summer program which he operated.
The man engaged in a "treat game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor explained, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and request they to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".
She told the court the defendant had engaged in this activity with the young males "repeatedly", and children had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She said Ruben had been able to explain this repeatedly as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had worries in summer 2025.
The legal representative continued: "Recently" his stepchild had suspicions about the activities, for good reason.
"They decided to investigate in the man's possessions."
The prosecutor said items including baby oil, ointment and syringes were found, and his stepson contacted the law enforcement about his concerns.
She said Ruben proceeded to play the "treat game" with six children that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that stage," she continued.
The regulatory agency, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was examining law enforcement's management of the incident.
The legal representative stated the minors were struggling to walk due to their condition, so the family member contacted the law enforcement again.
She stated the man then played the "sweet game" in a room of five youngsters.