A man who spiked sweets with sleeping medication and provided them to minors at a youth camp in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two children both between nine and ten.
The accused was taken into custody after eight children and one adult experienced illness at the facility in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from that region, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
Yet, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was against a nine-year-old boy.
The defendant was kept in jail prior to a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Candy game'
The legal representative, prosecuting, described the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She said his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were staying at a summer program which he operated.
The defendant engaged in a "treat game" with the minors, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and ask them to consume candy "rapidly".
She stated to the judge the defendant had played this game with the young males "repeatedly", and minors had previously fallen ill the next day.
She stated Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had suspicions in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "This year his stepchild had worries about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They decided to examine in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC explained objects including infant oil, Vaseline and medical needles were discovered, and his stepchild alerted the law enforcement about his concerns.
She stated Ruben proceeded to play the "sweet game" with six boys that evening - July 26th - and they were all ill the next day.
"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that stage," she continued.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, had stated that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the events.
The legal representative stated the minors were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so the family member called the authorities once more.
She said the man then played the "treat game" in a area of five children.
