An individual who laced treats with sedative and provided them to youngsters at a summer program in the area has admitted sexual offences against two young males who were nine and 10.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight children and an older person became sick at the facility in the summer month.
The senior citizen, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he was present at the judicial center on recently.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was facing, which was against a nine-year-old child.
The accused was remanded in custody before a further hearing on 28 November.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, detailed the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She stated his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a youth camp which he ran.
The man engaged in a "candy game" with the children, the legal counsel stated, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to consume candy "rapidly".
She stated to the judge Ruben had engaged in this activity with the children "for many years", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She said Ruben had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had suspicions in summer 2025.
The prosecutor stated further: "This year his family member had worries about the situation, with valid cause.
"They decided to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel said objects including baby oil, Vaseline and medical needles were discovered, and his family member notified the police about his suspicions.
She stated the man proceeded to engage in the "sweet game" with six children that time - July 26th - and they were all ill the next day.
"The police had not responded by that point," she continued.
The oversight body, the investigative body, had stated that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.
Mrs Prior said the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so the family member notified the authorities a second time.
She explained the defendant then played the "candy game" in a space of five children.
