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An individual who spiked sweets with sedative and gave them to minors at a summer program in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two children both nine and 10.

The accused was arrested after eight children and a grown-up became sick at the facility in the summer month.

The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he was present at the judicial center on the end of the week.

Nevertheless, he denied one particular crime he was facing, which was involving a nine-year-old boy.

Ruben was kept in jail ahead of a further hearing on November 28th.

'Candy game'

Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, described the defendant's actions to the judicial body.

She said his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a youth camp which he ran.

The defendant conducted a "candy game" with the children, the legal counsel explained, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to consume candy "as fast as possible".

She stated to the judge Ruben had engaged in this activity with the children "over an extended period", and children had previously fallen ill the next day.

She said the man had been capable of justifying this for many years as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had concerns in summer 2025.

The legal representative added: "This year his family member had concerns about what was going on, justifiably.

"They decided to examine in the man's possessions."

The legal counsel explained items including infant oil, petroleum jelly and medical needles were discovered, and his stepson contacted the authorities about his concerns.

She explained the defendant went on to engage in the "treat game" with six youngsters that night - that Saturday - and they were all ill the subsequent day.

"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that time," she stated further.

The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the situation.

The prosecutor stated the children were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson contacted the police a second time.

She stated the defendant then played the "treat game" in a space of five youngsters.