A man who laced treats with sedative and provided them to minors at a summer program in the region has confessed to sexual crimes against two children both between nine and ten.
The accused was arrested after eight children and an older person fell ill at the location in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from that region, admitted guilt to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
Nevertheless, he disputed a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was remanded in custody ahead of a additional proceeding on late November.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, described the defendant's actions to the legal proceedings.
She said his targets were under-privileged children who were attending a youth camp which he managed.
The defendant played a "candy game" with the children, Mrs Prior said, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and request they to consume candy "rapidly".
She informed the proceedings the man had conducted this practice with the children "repeatedly", and children had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She stated Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had suspicions in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "In the summer" his family member had worries about what was going on, for good reason.
"They decided to examine in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor explained items including lubricant, Vaseline and injection devices were discovered, and his stepchild alerted the authorities about his worries.
She explained the defendant went on to play the "treat game" with six boys that night - July 26th - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that stage," she added.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was examining law enforcement's management of the events.
The legal representative stated the youngsters were struggling to walk due to being ill, so the stepson called the law enforcement again.
She stated the man then played the "candy game" in a room of five minors.
