A person who spiked treats with sedative and distributed them to youngsters at a summer camp in the region has confessed to sexual offenses against two children both between nine and ten.
The defendant was detained after eight children and an older person experienced illness at the location in July.
The senior citizen, from that region, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he stood at the courthouse on Friday.
However, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was against a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was kept in jail prior to a further hearing on November 28th.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, described the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She explained his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a summer camp which he ran.
The defendant engaged in a "sweet game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor explained, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had engaged in this activity with the children "for many years", and children had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She stated the man had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had worries in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "This year his stepson had worries about the situation, for good reason.
"They chose" to examine in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel stated items including lubricant, petroleum jelly and injection devices were discovered, and his stepson alerted the authorities about his suspicions.
She stated the man continued to engage in the "candy game" with six children that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the next day.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that stage," she added.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.
The prosecutor explained the youngsters were struggling to walk due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson contacted the police once more.
She stated the defendant then played the "candy game" in a area of five children.