An individual who spiked treats with tranquilliser and gave them to minors at a youth camp in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two young males aged nine and 10.
The accused was arrested after eight youngsters and one adult became sick at the location in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from that region, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he stood at the judicial center on the end of the week.
Yet, he denied a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was concerning a young boy.
The accused was kept in jail prior to a additional proceeding on November 28th.
'Candy game'
The legal representative, handling the case, detailed the defendant's actions to the court.
She said his victims were under-privileged children who were attending a youth camp which he ran.
The defendant engaged in a "candy game" with the minors, Mrs Prior said, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and tell them to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge the man had conducted this practice with the boys "repeatedly", and minors had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She stated the man had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had worries in July 2025.
The prosecutor continued: "In the summer" his stepson had concerns about the activities, for good reason.
"They decided to have a look in the individual's items."
The prosecutor explained objects including lubricant, Vaseline and syringes were located, and his stepchild contacted the authorities about his suspicions.
She explained Ruben proceeded to conduct the "candy game" with six children that time - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.
"The police had not gone out by that point," she continued.
The police watchdog, the police conduct office, previously told that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.
Mrs Prior said the youngsters were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson contacted the police once more.
She explained the man then played the "treat game" in a space of five minors.
