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An individual who contaminated sweets with sleeping medication and provided them to youngsters at a summer program in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two boys who were nine and 10.

The defendant was detained after eight youngsters and a grown-up became sick at the location in the summer month.

The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.

Nevertheless, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.

The defendant was kept in jail prior to a additional proceeding on November 28th.

'Sweet game'

The prosecutor, presenting evidence, described Ruben's offending to the judicial body.

She explained his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a summer program which he managed.

The defendant played a "treat game" with the children, Mrs Prior said, 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 stated to the judge Ruben had conducted this practice with the boys "for many years", and minors had previously become sick the subsequent day.

She stated the man had been able to explain this over a long period as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had concerns in summer 2025.

Mrs Prior KC continued: "Recently" his stepson had concerns about what was going on, for good reason.

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

The legal counsel said objects including infant oil, Vaseline and syringes were discovered, and his family member notified the police about his suspicions.

She explained Ruben went on to play the "treat game" with six boys that time - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the next day.

"Authorities" had not gone out by that point," she stated further.

The oversight body, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was reviewing the police response of the situation.

The prosecutor said the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so the stepson called the authorities once more.

She explained the man then played the "candy game" in a room of five children.