A man who contaminated candy with sleeping medication and provided them to minors at a summer camp in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two boys aged between nine and ten.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight minors and one adult experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from that region, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he stood at the judicial center on recently.
However, he denied one particular crime he was accused of, which was against a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was remanded in custody before a additional proceeding on 28 November.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, detailed the criminal behavior to the court.
She explained his those affected were under-privileged children who were staying at a youth camp which he ran.
Ruben engaged in a "sweet game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel stated, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were settling down and tell them to ingest treats "as fast as possible".
She told the court Ruben had conducted this practice with the boys "for many years", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She explained the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had worries in summer 2025.
The legal representative added: "This year his stepchild had worries about the situation, with valid cause.
"They decided to examine in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor explained objects including baby oil, ointment and injection devices were located, and his stepchild alerted the police about his concerns.
She stated the defendant continued to engage in the "candy game" with six youngsters that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the following morning.
"The police had not arrived by that stage," she continued.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, had stated that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the events.
The prosecutor explained the children were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so the stepson contacted the police again.
She said the defendant then conducted the "candy game" in a space of five youngsters.
