A man who laced treats with sedative and provided them to minors at a youth camp in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two boys aged nine and 10.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight youngsters and one adult became sick at the location in the summer month.
The elderly man, from that region, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at the courthouse on Friday.
However, he disputed a single sexual charge he was facing, which was involving a nine-year-old boy.
The defendant was held in detention prior to a further hearing on November 28th.
'Candy game'
The legal representative, handling the case, described the defendant's actions to the court.
She stated his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were participating in a summer camp which he ran.
Ruben conducted a "treat game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and request they to ingest treats "rapidly".
She told the court the man had conducted this practice with the boys "for many years", and youngsters had previously become sick the next day.
She said the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had worries in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC added: "Recently" his stepson had suspicions about what was going on, for good reason.
"They decided to investigate in the man's possessions."
The prosecutor explained items including lubricant, ointment and injection devices were discovered, and his stepchild contacted the authorities about his worries.
She explained the man proceeded to engage in the "candy game" with six youngsters that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that time," she continued.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was examining Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.
Mrs Prior stated the children were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson contacted the authorities a second time.
She explained Ruben then engaged in the "treat game" in a area of five youngsters.
