An individual who spiked treats with sedative and distributed them to children at a summer camp in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two children who were nine and ten years old.
The defendant was arrested after eight youngsters and a grown-up fell ill at the location in the summer month.
The senior citizen, from that region, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he was present at the judicial center on the end of the week.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was involving a nine-year-old boy.
Ruben was held in detention before a additional proceeding on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
The prosecutor, handling the case, described the defendant's actions to the legal proceedings.
She stated his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a summer program which he operated.
Ruben conducted a "candy game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to ingest treats "rapidly".
She told the court the defendant had conducted this practice with the boys "over an extended period", and youngsters had previously become sick the next day.
She said Ruben had been capable of justifying this for many years as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had suspicions in summer 2025.
The legal representative added: "Recently" his stepson had suspicions about the activities, with valid cause.
"They resolved" to investigate in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC explained items including infant oil, ointment and syringes were located, and his stepchild alerted the police about his worries.
She explained Ruben went on to conduct the "sweet game" with six youngsters that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the following morning.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that point," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the police conduct office, had stated that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the events.
The prosecutor stated the minors were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so the stepson contacted the law enforcement again.
She said the defendant then conducted the "candy game" in a room of five minors.
