A man who contaminated candy with tranquilliser and distributed them to minors at a summer camp in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two young males who were between nine and ten.
The accused was detained after eight youngsters and one adult fell ill at the facility in the summer month.
The elderly man, from that region, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he stood at the judicial center on recently.
However, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was against a nine-year-old child.
The accused was held in detention ahead of a subsequent court date on late November.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, prosecuting, detailed Ruben's offending to the court.
She said his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a summer camp which he ran.
The defendant played a "treat game" with the children, the prosecutor said, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and request they to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She told the court the defendant had played this game with the children "repeatedly", and children had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She explained the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had worries in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "In the summer" his stepson had concerns about what was going on, for good reason.
"They decided to investigate in the individual's items."
The legal counsel said materials including lubricant, petroleum jelly and medical needles were discovered, and his stepchild contacted the authorities about his concerns.
She stated Ruben proceeded to play the "treat game" with six boys that time - that Saturday - and they were all sick the next day.
"The police had not responded by that time," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was examining Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.
The legal representative said the minors were struggling to walk due to being ill, so the family member contacted the law enforcement a second time.
She stated Ruben then conducted the "candy game" in a space of five minors.
