A person who laced sweets with sleeping medication and provided them to minors at a summer camp in the region has confessed to sexual offences against two boys aged nine and ten years old.
The defendant was detained after eight minors and one adult experienced illness at the facility in the summer month.
The elderly man, from that region, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he stood at the judicial center on recently.
Nevertheless, he disputed a single sexual charge he was facing, which was against a young boy.
The defendant was held in detention before a additional proceeding on late November.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, outlined Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She explained his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a summer program which he operated.
The defendant engaged in a "candy game" with the minors, the legal counsel stated, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to ingest treats "rapidly".
She told the court the man had engaged in this activity with the children "for many years", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She explained the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had worries in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "Recently" his family member had worries about the situation, with valid cause.
"They resolved" to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC stated items including baby oil, petroleum jelly and medical needles were located, and his family member notified the police about his concerns.
She stated Ruben continued to play the "treat game" with six youngsters that time - that Saturday - and they were all sick the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that point," she added.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, had stated that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
The prosecutor said the children were struggling to walk due to being ill, so the stepson called the police once more.
She explained Ruben then played the "sweet game" in a room of five minors.
