An individual who spiked treats with sedative and provided them to children at a summer program in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two children both nine and 10.
The defendant was arrested after eight youngsters and an older person fell ill at the location in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from that region, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he stood at the judicial center on Friday.
Nevertheless, he denied a single sexual charge he was facing, which was against a nine-year-old boy.
Ruben was remanded in custody ahead of a additional proceeding on late November.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, described the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She explained his those affected were under-privileged children who were attending a youth camp which he ran.
Ruben played a "sweet game" with the minors, the prosecutor stated, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and request they to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge Ruben had engaged in this activity with the young males "over an extended period", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She explained Ruben had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had worries in July 2025.
The legal representative continued: "Recently" his stepchild had worries about the situation, with valid cause.
"They decided to examine in the individual's items."
The prosecutor said objects including lubricant, petroleum jelly and injection devices were located, and his stepchild notified the police about his suspicions.
She explained the defendant continued to play the "sweet game" with six boys that time - July 26th - and they were all sick the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that time," she stated further.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was examining Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.
Mrs Prior stated the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so the stepson notified the police again.
She explained Ruben then engaged in the "treat game" in a area of five youngsters.
