A man who spiked sweets with sedative and gave them to children at a summer camp in the area has confessed to sexual offences against two boys who were nine and ten years old.
The accused was taken into custody after eight youngsters and an older person experienced illness at the facility in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from that region, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he stood at the courthouse on Friday.
Nevertheless, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was against a nine-year-old child.
The accused was remanded in custody ahead of a further hearing on November 28th.
'Sweet game'
The prosecutor, prosecuting, described the criminal behavior to the court.
She stated his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a summer program which he ran.
Ruben played a "sweet game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor stated, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and tell them 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 previously become sick the following morning.
She explained Ruben had been able to explain this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had concerns in summer 2025.
The legal representative continued: "Recently" his stepchild had suspicions about what was going on, for good reason.
"They decided to examine in the individual's items."
The prosecutor said objects including baby oil, petroleum jelly and medical needles were found, and his stepchild alerted the law enforcement about his concerns.
She stated Ruben went on to conduct the "sweet game" with six boys that night - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"The police had not gone out by that stage," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the police conduct office, previously told that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the events.
The legal representative said the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson notified the authorities a second time.
She stated Ruben then engaged in the "candy game" in a space of five children.
