An individual who laced sweets with tranquilliser and gave them to minors at a summer camp in the region has confessed to sexual offenses against two boys who were nine and ten years old.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight minors and an older person experienced illness at the location in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he was present at the judicial center on Friday.
However, he disputed a single sexual charge he was facing, which was against a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was kept in jail prior to a additional proceeding on late November.
'Sweet game'
The prosecutor, presenting evidence, detailed the criminal behavior to the court.
She said his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a summer program which he operated.
Ruben engaged in a "candy game" with the minors, the prosecutor stated, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were settling down and tell them to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She told the court the defendant had played this game with the boys "repeatedly", and children had previously become sick the subsequent day.
She stated the defendant had been able to explain this for many years as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepchild had suspicions in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC added: "Recently" his stepson had concerns about the activities, justifiably.
"They resolved" to examine in the individual's items."
The legal counsel stated objects including baby oil, petroleum jelly and injection devices were located, and his stepson contacted the authorities about his worries.
She stated the man proceeded to play the "sweet game" with six youngsters that night - that Saturday - and they were all ill the following morning.
"Authorities" had not responded by that stage," she added.
The oversight body, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the events.
Mrs Prior explained the minors were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson called the law enforcement a second time.
She said Ruben then engaged in the "candy game" in a space of five minors.
