A man who laced candy with tranquilliser and gave them to minors at a summer program in the region has admitted sexual offenses against two children aged nine and 10.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight youngsters and an older person fell ill at the facility in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from that region, admitted guilt to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at the courthouse on recently.
However, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was involving a young boy.
The defendant was held in detention prior to a subsequent court date on November 28th.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, described the defendant's actions to the court.
She stated his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a youth camp which he operated.
Ruben conducted a "treat game" with the minors, the prosecutor said, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and ask them to ingest treats "rapidly".
She informed the proceedings the man had played this game with the children "repeatedly", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She stated the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had suspicions in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "This year his stepson had worries about the activities, with valid cause.
"They decided to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor stated objects including lubricant, petroleum jelly and medical needles were located, and his family member contacted the law enforcement about his worries.
She stated Ruben went on to play the "treat game" with six youngsters that time - that Saturday - and they were all ill the next day.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that point," she added.
The oversight body, the investigative body, previously told that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.
The legal representative stated the children were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so the family member notified the authorities a second time.
She explained the defendant then played the "candy game" in a area of five youngsters.
