A man who laced candy with sedative and distributed them to minors at a youth camp in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two young males aged nine and ten years old.
The defendant was detained after eight children and a grown-up fell ill at the facility in the summer month.
The elderly man, from that region, admitted guilt to a total of 17 charges when he was present at the courthouse on Friday.
Yet, he denied one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
The defendant was held in detention prior to a subsequent court date on November 28th.
'Candy game'
The prosecutor, prosecuting, detailed the criminal behavior to the court.
She said his those affected were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a youth camp which he operated.
The defendant conducted a "candy game" with the minors, Mrs Prior said, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to ingest treats "rapidly".
She stated to the judge Ruben had engaged in this activity with the young males "repeatedly", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She stated Ruben had been capable of justifying this for many years as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had concerns in July 2025.
The prosecutor continued: "This year his family member had worries about the activities, for good reason.
"They resolved" to investigate in the individual's items."
The prosecutor said materials including lubricant, petroleum jelly and medical needles were located, and his stepchild alerted the authorities about his suspicions.
She stated Ruben went on to engage in the "candy game" with six children that night - July 26th - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.
"The police had not gone out by that stage," she stated further.
The oversight body, the investigative body, previously told that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the events.
The legal representative said the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so the stepson contacted the authorities a second time.
She said Ruben then engaged in the "treat game" in a area of five minors.
