A person who contaminated candy with sleeping medication and distributed them to youngsters at a youth camp in the region has confessed to sexual crimes against two young males aged between nine and ten.
The defendant was detained after eight minors and a grown-up became sick at the facility in the summer month.
The senior citizen, from that region, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
Nevertheless, he denied one particular crime he was accused of, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
The accused was remanded in custody ahead of a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, detailed the criminal behavior to the court.
She explained his victims were under-privileged children who were attending a summer camp which he operated.
The defendant played a "treat game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor said, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and request they to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge the defendant had conducted this practice with the boys "for many years", and youngsters had previously become sick the following morning.
She stated Ruben had been able to explain this over a long period as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had worries in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "Recently" his family member had worries about the situation, justifiably.
"They chose" to have a look in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel said items including infant oil, ointment and syringes were located, and his stepchild alerted the law enforcement about his worries.
She said Ruben continued to engage in the "treat game" with six boys that night - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the next day.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that stage," she added.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the incident.
Mrs Prior explained the minors were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so the family member called the law enforcement again.
She explained the man then played the "candy game" in a area of five minors.
