A man who contaminated candy with sedative and provided them to children at a summer camp in the area has admitted sexual offenses against two young males both nine and 10.
The accused was detained after eight youngsters and a grown-up became sick at the location in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from that region, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was held in detention before a additional proceeding on late November.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, presenting evidence, detailed the defendant's actions to the legal proceedings.
She said his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a youth camp which he managed.
Ruben engaged in a "candy game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor stated, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and request they to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She told the court the man had engaged in this activity with the boys "over an extended period", and children had previously become sick the subsequent day.
She said the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepchild had worries in July 2025.
The legal representative added: "This year his stepchild had worries about the activities, with valid cause.
"They resolved" to have a look in the individual's items."
Mrs Prior KC explained items including lubricant, Vaseline and syringes were found, and his stepchild notified the police about his worries.
She stated the man went on to play the "sweet game" with six children that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that point," she added.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was investigating the police response of the situation.
Mrs Prior said the children were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so the family member notified the police once more.
She explained the defendant then played the "candy game" in a area of five minors.
