A man who laced sweets with sleeping medication and provided them to children at a summer program in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two young males who were nine and ten years old.
The accused was taken into custody after eight minors and a grown-up fell ill at the location in July.
The elderly man, from that region, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he stood at the courthouse on recently.
Nevertheless, he denied one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was against a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was held in detention prior to a additional proceeding on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, outlined the defendant's actions to the legal proceedings.
She stated his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a summer camp which he managed.
The man engaged in a "sweet game" with the children, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and request they to eat sweets "rapidly".
She told the court Ruben had played this game with the children "for many years", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the next day.
She explained Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had suspicions in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "Recently" his stepchild had suspicions about the activities, for good reason.
"They resolved" to have a look in the individual's items."
The legal counsel said objects including baby oil, petroleum jelly and injection devices were discovered, and his family member alerted the authorities about his suspicions.
She stated the man continued to engage in the "candy game" with six children that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the next day.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that stage," she added.
The oversight body, the investigative body, previously told that it was examining Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
Mrs Prior said the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson contacted the authorities again.
She said the man then engaged in the "treat game" in a room of five minors.
