A person who contaminated candy with tranquilliser and gave them to youngsters at a summer program in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two boys aged nine and 10.
The accused was arrested after eight children and one adult experienced illness at the facility in mid-summer.
The senior citizen, from that region, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
However, he disputed a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
The defendant was kept in jail prior to a subsequent court date on November 28th.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, presenting evidence, detailed the defendant's actions to the court.
She said his those affected were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a summer camp which he managed.
Ruben conducted a "treat game" with the minors, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would go into the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and tell them to ingest treats "rapidly".
She told the court the man had played this game with the young males "repeatedly", and minors had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She said the man had been able to explain this for many years as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had worries in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "This year his family member had concerns about the situation, for good reason.
"They resolved" to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel explained items including lubricant, Vaseline and injection devices were discovered, and his stepson notified the law enforcement about his worries.
She explained Ruben proceeded to engage in the "sweet game" with six children that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.
"The police had not arrived by that stage," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was reviewing the police response of the events.
Mrs Prior stated the youngsters were struggling to walk due to being ill, so the stepson contacted the authorities a second time.
She stated Ruben then played the "sweet game" in a room of five youngsters.
