An individual who laced sweets with sedative and distributed them to children at a youth camp in the region has admitted sexual offenses against two boys aged nine and ten years old.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight children and a grown-up experienced illness at the facility in the summer month.
The senior citizen, from that region, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
Nevertheless, he denied one particular crime he was facing, which was against a nine-year-old boy.
The defendant was remanded in custody before a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, detailed the criminal behavior to the judicial body.
She explained his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a summer camp which he operated.
The man engaged in a "candy game" with the minors, Mrs Prior said, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She told the court the man had played this game with the boys "over an extended period", and children had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She stated Ruben had been able to explain this for many years as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had suspicions in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "This year his stepchild had concerns about what was going on, justifiably.
"They resolved" to have a look in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel explained items including infant oil, petroleum jelly and medical needles were discovered, and his family member alerted the law enforcement about his worries.
She stated the man proceeded to play the "treat game" with six boys that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the next day.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that stage," she added.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was reviewing the police response of the situation.
The legal representative stated the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson contacted the police again.
She said Ruben then played the "candy game" in a room of five minors.
