A man who laced sweets with sedative and provided them to children at a summer camp in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two boys aged nine and ten years old.
The accused was detained after eight minors and an older person fell ill at the location in the summer month.
The elderly man, from that region, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
Yet, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was against a nine-year-old child.
The accused was kept in jail ahead of a additional proceeding on November 28th.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, outlined the criminal behavior to the court.
She explained his victims were under-privileged children who were participating in a youth camp which he operated.
Ruben engaged in a "treat game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor stated, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge Ruben had played this game with the boys "for many years", and children had previously become sick the next day.
She stated the defendant had been able to explain this repeatedly as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had concerns in July 2025.
The prosecutor continued: "This year his family member had worries about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They resolved" to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor stated materials including lubricant, Vaseline and injection devices were located, and his stepson alerted the authorities about his concerns.
She explained the defendant went on to play the "treat game" with six youngsters that evening - July 26th - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"The police had not arrived by that stage," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was examining law enforcement's management of the events.
The legal representative said the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so the stepson notified the authorities a second time.
She stated Ruben then engaged in the "candy game" in a area of five minors.
