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A person who laced candy with tranquilliser and gave them to children at a summer program in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual crimes against two boys aged nine and 10.

The accused was taken into custody after eight youngsters and a grown-up became sick at Stathern Lodge in July.

The senior citizen, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at the judicial center on Friday.

However, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was against a young boy.

Ruben was kept in jail prior to a subsequent court date on 28 November.

'Treat game'

The legal representative, prosecuting, described Ruben's offending to the judicial body.

She explained his those affected were under-privileged children who were staying at a summer camp which he operated.

Ruben conducted a "candy game" with the minors, the legal counsel explained, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and request they to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".

She informed the proceedings the defendant had played this game with the boys "for many years", and children had previously become sick the subsequent day.

She said the man had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had suspicions in July 2025.

The legal representative stated further: "This year his family member had concerns about what was going on, for good reason.

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

The legal counsel stated objects including infant oil, ointment and syringes were found, and his family member contacted the authorities about his worries.

She said Ruben proceeded to play the "candy game" with six children that evening - that Saturday - and they were all sick the subsequent day.

"The police had not gone out by that stage," she stated further.

The regulatory agency, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was examining Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.

The prosecutor said the children were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so the stepson called the police a second time.

She said Ruben then engaged in the "candy game" in a space of five minors.