An individual who spiked sweets with sleeping medication and provided them to children at a summer program in the region has confessed to sexual offences against two children aged between nine and ten.
The accused was detained after eight children and an older person became sick at the facility in the summer month.
The elderly man, from that region, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at the judicial center on recently.
Yet, he disputed a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
Ruben was held in detention ahead of a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Candy game'
The legal representative, presenting evidence, described Ruben's offending to the court.
She stated his those affected were under-privileged children who were staying at a youth camp which he ran.
Ruben engaged in a "treat game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor stated, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were settling down and tell them to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge Ruben had played this game with the children "for many years", and youngsters had previously become sick the subsequent day.
She stated the man had been able to explain this over a long period as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepchild had suspicions in July 2025.
The legal representative stated further: "In the summer" his family member had concerns about the situation, for good reason.
"They chose" to have a look in the individual's items."
Mrs Prior KC said objects including infant oil, ointment and syringes were located, and his family member notified the authorities about his suspicions.
She explained the man went on to engage in the "candy game" with six boys that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the next day.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that point," she added.
The oversight body, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
Mrs Prior explained the minors were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so the family member contacted the authorities once more.
She stated the man then conducted the "candy game" in a room of five children.
