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A person who spiked sweets with tranquilliser and distributed them to children at a summer program in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual offences against two boys aged nine and ten years old.

The defendant was detained after eight youngsters and a grown-up fell ill at the facility in the summer month.

The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he stood at the courthouse on Friday.

Nevertheless, he refused to admit one particular crime he was charged with, which was involving a nine-year-old child.

Ruben was held in detention before a subsequent court date on 28 November.

'Candy game'

Mary Prior KC, handling the case, outlined the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.

She stated his victims were under-privileged children who were staying at a summer camp which he managed.

Ruben conducted a "candy game" with the children, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and request they to consume candy "as quickly as they can".

She told the court Ruben had engaged in this activity with the children "for many years", and minors had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.

She said the defendant had been capable of justifying this repeatedly as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had worries in July 2025.

The legal representative continued: "In the summer" his stepchild had worries about the situation, justifiably.

"They chose" to investigate in the man's possessions."

The legal counsel explained materials including lubricant, Vaseline and medical needles were found, and his stepson notified the authorities about his worries.

She explained the man proceeded to conduct the "candy game" with six children that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the subsequent day.

"The police had not arrived by that point," she stated further.

The regulatory agency, the police conduct office, previously told that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the events.

Mrs Prior said the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson notified the police a second time.

She stated the defendant then played the "sweet game" in a area of five minors.