A person who contaminated sweets with tranquilliser and distributed them to youngsters at a summer program in the region has admitted sexual offences against two boys aged between nine and ten.
The accused was taken into custody after eight youngsters and a grown-up became sick at the facility in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
Nevertheless, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was held in detention before a additional proceeding on 28 November.
'Candy game'
The legal representative, handling the case, detailed the criminal behavior to the court.
She stated his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a summer camp which he managed.
Ruben played a "candy game" with the minors, the prosecutor stated, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and request they to ingest treats "rapidly".
She informed the proceedings the man had played this game with the young males "over an extended period", and children had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She stated the man had been capable of justifying this for many years as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had worries in July 2025.
The prosecutor stated further: "In the summer" his stepchild had concerns about the activities, with valid cause.
"They resolved" to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor said objects including infant oil, Vaseline and injection devices were located, and his stepchild alerted the police about his concerns.
She explained the defendant went on to conduct the "candy game" with six boys that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that stage," she added.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was examining Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
The prosecutor said the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so the stepson called the police once more.
She explained the man then played the "treat game" in a room of five minors.
