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An individual who contaminated sweets with tranquilliser and provided them to youngsters at a summer program in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two young males aged nine and ten years old.

The defendant was taken into custody after eight children and one adult experienced illness at the location in the summer month.

The 76-year-old, from that region, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he was present at the judicial center on recently.

However, he disputed one particular crime he was accused of, which was involving a nine-year-old child.

The defendant was remanded in custody before a further hearing on November 28th.

'Candy game'

Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, outlined the criminal behavior to the judicial body.

She said his victims were under-privileged children who were staying at a youth camp which he ran.

The defendant played a "candy game" with the children, the prosecutor stated, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to eat sweets "rapidly".

She told the court Ruben had engaged in this activity with the young males "repeatedly", and children had previously become sick the subsequent day.

She stated Ruben had been able to explain this repeatedly as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepchild had concerns in summer 2025.

The legal representative stated further: "Recently" his stepson had suspicions about the situation, with valid cause.

"They chose" to examine in the individual's items."

The prosecutor stated objects including infant oil, Vaseline and medical needles were discovered, and his stepchild notified the law enforcement about his suspicions.

She said the man went on to play the "sweet game" with six boys that time - July 26th - and they were all ill the following morning.

"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that stage," she added.

The regulatory agency, the police conduct office, had stated that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.

Mrs Prior stated the youngsters were struggling to walk due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson notified the authorities again.

She said Ruben then engaged in the "sweet game" in a room of five children.