A person who laced treats with sedative and gave them to minors at a summer camp in the region has admitted sexual offences against two boys aged nine and 10.
The accused was detained after eight minors and one adult fell ill at the location in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from that region, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at the courthouse on Friday.
Nevertheless, he denied one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was against a nine-year-old boy.
Ruben was held in detention before a subsequent court date on November 28th.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, outlined the criminal behavior to the judicial body.
She stated his those affected were under-privileged children who were participating in a summer camp which he ran.
The man engaged in a "candy game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel explained, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and ask them to ingest treats "rapidly".
She informed the proceedings the defendant had engaged in this activity with the boys "over an extended period", and children had previously fallen ill the next day.
She stated Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had suspicions in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "In the summer" his stepson had concerns about the situation, with valid cause.
"They chose" to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC stated materials including baby oil, ointment and syringes were found, and his stepson notified the authorities about his concerns.
She said the defendant continued to play the "treat game" with six youngsters that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that point," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was examining Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.
The prosecutor explained the minors were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so the stepson notified the law enforcement a second time.
She said Ruben then engaged in the "treat game" in a space of five children.
