An individual who contaminated candy with tranquilliser and gave them to children at a summer camp in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two boys who were between nine and ten.
The accused was detained after eight minors and one adult became sick at the location in mid-summer.
The senior citizen, from that region, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at the judicial center on recently.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was against a young boy.
The defendant was remanded in custody before a subsequent court date on late November.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, outlined the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She said his targets were under-privileged children who were staying at a summer camp which he ran.
The defendant played a "treat game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel explained, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and ask them to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She told the court Ruben had conducted this practice with the young males "repeatedly", and minors had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She stated the man had been able to explain this repeatedly as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had concerns in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "This year his family member had suspicions about what was going on, justifiably.
"They decided to examine in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC said items including lubricant, ointment and medical needles were located, and his family member contacted the authorities about his concerns.
She stated the man continued to play the "sweet game" with six children that night - July 26th - and they were everyone unwell the next day.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that time," she continued.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
Mrs Prior stated the children were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so the stepson notified the police a second time.
She explained the defendant then played the "candy game" in a area of five minors.
