An individual who contaminated candy with tranquilliser and provided them to children at a summer camp in the region has confessed to sexual crimes against two boys both nine and 10.
The accused was arrested after eight children and a grown-up fell ill at the facility in mid-summer.
The senior citizen, from that region, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
However, he denied a single sexual charge he was facing, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was remanded in custody ahead of a additional proceeding on November 28th.
'Treat game'
The prosecutor, presenting evidence, described the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She explained his victims were under-privileged children who were staying at a youth camp which he operated.
The defendant conducted a "sweet game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel explained, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and request they to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had conducted this practice with the boys "for many years", and minors had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She stated the man had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had concerns in summer 2025.
The legal representative added: "In the summer" his family member had worries about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They decided to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC said materials including baby oil, Vaseline and syringes were located, and his stepchild notified the police about his suspicions.
She said the defendant continued to conduct the "treat game" with six youngsters that evening - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the next day.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that stage," she continued.
The oversight body, the investigative body, previously told that it was examining law enforcement's management of the situation.
The prosecutor said the minors were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson notified the law enforcement once more.
She stated the man then engaged in the "treat game" in a room of five youngsters.
