A man who laced candy with tranquilliser and gave them to children at a youth camp in the region has admitted sexual offenses against two young males aged nine and ten years old.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight children and one adult fell ill at the facility in July.
The elderly man, from that region, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at the judicial center on recently.
Yet, he denied one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was concerning a young boy.
The accused was held in detention ahead of a subsequent court date on November 28th.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, described the defendant's actions to the legal proceedings.
She said his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a summer program which he managed.
The man engaged in a "candy game" with the children, the prosecutor said, in which he would go into the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to eat sweets "rapidly".
She stated to the judge the defendant had engaged in this activity with the children "for many years", and children had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She stated the man had been capable of justifying this repeatedly as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepchild had suspicions in July 2025.
The legal representative stated further: "This year his stepchild had worries about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They resolved" to examine in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel stated materials including lubricant, Vaseline and injection devices were located, and his stepchild alerted the authorities about his concerns.
She said Ruben continued to conduct the "treat game" with six children that night - that Saturday - and they were all sick the next day.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that stage," she stated further.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the events.
Mrs Prior stated the children were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so the family member contacted the police once more.
She stated the defendant then played the "treat game" in a room of five youngsters.
