An individual who contaminated candy with sedative and provided them to youngsters at a summer program in the area has confessed to sexual offenses against two children aged between nine and ten.
The accused was arrested after eight minors and a grown-up fell ill at the location in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at the judicial center on recently.
Yet, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was against a nine-year-old boy.
The defendant was held in detention before a additional proceeding on late November.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, described the defendant's actions to the court.
She said his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a summer program which he operated.
The defendant played a "sweet game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor stated, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and request they to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge the man had played this game with the young males "for many years", and children had previously become sick the next day.
She said Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had concerns in summer 2025.
The prosecutor added: "Recently" his family member had suspicions about what was going on, for good reason.
"They resolved" to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel stated objects including lubricant, ointment and medical needles were discovered, and his stepchild notified the police about his suspicions.
She said Ruben went on to play the "sweet game" with six children that time - July 26th - and they were all sick the following morning.
"Authorities" had not responded by that stage," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the police conduct office, previously told that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
The prosecutor said the minors were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson contacted the police again.
She said the man then conducted the "sweet game" in a area of five minors.
