A person who laced candy with sleeping medication and gave them to minors at a summer camp in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two young males aged between nine and ten.
The accused was detained after eight children and an older person fell ill at the location in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, admitted guilt to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at the judicial center on the end of the week.
Nevertheless, he denied one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
The accused was kept in jail prior to a additional proceeding on 28 November.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, handling the case, detailed the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She said his victims were under-privileged children who were attending a summer program which he operated.
Ruben engaged in a "treat game" with the minors, the prosecutor explained, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and request they to consume candy "rapidly".
She told the court the defendant had conducted this practice with the boys "over an extended period", and minors had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She said the man had been capable of justifying this repeatedly as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had suspicions in summer 2025.
The prosecutor added: "This year his stepchild had concerns about the situation, justifiably.
"They chose" to investigate in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC stated materials including lubricant, petroleum jelly and medical needles were located, and his family member alerted the authorities about his concerns.
She explained the defendant proceeded to engage in the "candy game" with six children that night - that Saturday - and they were all ill the next day.
"Authorities" had not responded by that point," she added.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was examining Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.
The prosecutor said the minors were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson called the police a second time.
She explained the defendant then played the "candy game" in a room of five youngsters.
