A man who spiked candy with tranquilliser and gave them to minors at a summer camp in the region has confessed to sexual crimes against two children who were nine and 10.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight children and a grown-up fell ill at the facility in the summer month.
The elderly man, from that region, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at the courthouse on the end of the week.
However, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was kept in jail prior to a subsequent court date on November 28th.
'Candy game'
The legal representative, presenting evidence, outlined the criminal behavior to the court.
She stated his those affected were under-privileged children who were staying at a summer camp which he managed.
The defendant played a "treat game" with the children, the legal counsel stated, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were settling down and tell them to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She informed the proceedings the man had conducted this practice with the boys "over an extended period", and youngsters had previously become sick the following morning.
She stated Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had suspicions in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC added: "Recently" his stepchild had worries about what was going on, justifiably.
"They resolved" to examine in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel explained materials including infant oil, Vaseline and injection devices were found, and his stepchild notified the authorities about his concerns.
She explained the man went on to play the "candy game" with six boys that night - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the next day.
"The police had not arrived by that stage," she continued.
The police watchdog, the police conduct office, previously told that it was examining Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.
The prosecutor stated the minors were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so the stepson called the law enforcement once more.
She stated the man then played the "sweet game" in a area of five children.
