A man who spiked candy with sleeping medication and gave them to children at a summer camp in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two children both nine and 10.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight children and a grown-up experienced illness at the facility in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from that region, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at the courthouse on recently.
However, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was against a young boy.
The defendant was remanded in custody ahead of a further hearing on late November.
'Treat game'
The prosecutor, handling the case, outlined the defendant's actions to the court.
She stated his those affected were under-privileged children who were attending a summer program which he operated.
Ruben engaged in a "sweet game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor said, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to eat sweets "rapidly".
She informed the proceedings the man had played this game with the boys "repeatedly", and children had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She explained Ruben had been capable of justifying this for many years as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had worries in July 2025.
The prosecutor continued: "In the summer" his stepchild had worries about what was going on, justifiably.
"They resolved" to investigate in the individual's items."
The legal counsel explained materials including lubricant, ointment and medical needles were located, and his stepson contacted the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She explained the man proceeded to engage in the "sweet game" with six boys that time - July 26th - and they were all ill the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that stage," she added.
The oversight body, the police conduct office, had stated that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.
Mrs Prior explained the youngsters were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so the stepson called the police again.
She stated the defendant then played the "candy game" in a room of five minors.
