An individual who laced sweets with sedative and gave them to youngsters at a summer program in the region has confessed to sexual offences against two boys who were between nine and ten.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight youngsters and a grown-up fell ill at the location in the summer month.
The senior citizen, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
Nevertheless, he disputed one particular crime he was charged with, which was involving a nine-year-old boy.
Ruben was remanded in custody ahead of a further hearing on 28 November.
'Candy game'
The prosecutor, presenting evidence, outlined the defendant's actions to the court.
She explained his victims were under-privileged children who were staying at a summer camp which he operated.
Ruben played a "sweet game" with the minors, the prosecutor said, in which he would go into the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to ingest treats "rapidly".
She told the court the man had played this game with the boys "for many years", and children had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She said the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepchild had concerns in summer 2025.
The legal representative continued: "Recently" his stepson had suspicions about what was going on, for good reason.
"They decided to investigate in the individual's items."
The prosecutor explained items including baby oil, Vaseline and medical needles were located, and his stepchild contacted the authorities about his concerns.
She said the defendant continued to engage in the "candy game" with six youngsters that night - July 26th - and they were all sick the next day.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that time," she added.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the events.
The legal representative said the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so the family member notified the authorities a second time.
She stated the man then engaged in the "treat game" in a room of five minors.
