A person who spiked candy with sleeping medication and provided them to youngsters at a summer camp in the region has confessed to sexual offenses against two young males aged between nine and ten.
The defendant was detained after eight children and a grown-up became sick at Stathern Lodge in July.
The senior citizen, from that region, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at the courthouse on the end of the week.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was held in detention ahead of a further hearing on November 28th.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, outlined Ruben's offending to the court.
She explained his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a summer camp which he operated.
Ruben played a "candy game" with the children, Mrs Prior said, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and request they to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge the defendant had engaged in this activity with the young males "over an extended period", and children had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She said Ruben had been able to explain this for many years as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had concerns in July 2025.
The prosecutor continued: "Recently" his stepchild had concerns about what was going on, for good reason.
"They decided to examine in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel stated objects including lubricant, ointment and syringes were discovered, and his stepson notified the law enforcement about his worries.
She explained the defendant continued to engage in the "treat game" with six boys that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the next day.
"The police had not responded by that stage," she continued.
The police watchdog, the police conduct office, had stated that it was examining Leicestershire Police's handling of the events.
The legal representative said the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson notified the police again.
She stated Ruben then engaged in the "sweet game" in a area of five youngsters.
