An individual who spiked sweets with sleeping medication and provided them to children at a summer program in the region has admitted sexual crimes against two children both nine and ten years old.
The defendant was arrested after eight youngsters and an older person fell ill at the location in the summer month.
The senior citizen, from that region, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
Nevertheless, he disputed a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
The accused was remanded in custody ahead of a subsequent court date on late November.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, outlined the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She explained his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a youth camp which he ran.
Ruben played a "candy game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel explained, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and request they to ingest treats "as fast as possible".
She told the court Ruben had played this game with the boys "for many years", and children had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She said the man had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had suspicions in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "This year his stepson had concerns about what was going on, for good reason.
"They resolved" to examine in the individual's items."
Mrs Prior KC stated objects including lubricant, petroleum jelly and syringes were discovered, and his stepchild contacted the law enforcement about his concerns.
She said the man continued to play the "sweet game" with six boys that night - July 26th - and they were all sick the following morning.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that stage," she continued.
The regulatory agency, the police conduct office, had stated that it was examining Leicestershire Police's handling of the events.
The prosecutor said the children were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so the family member notified the authorities a second time.
She said the defendant then conducted the "candy game" in a space of five youngsters.
