An individual who contaminated treats with sedative and distributed them to minors at a summer program in the area has confessed to sexual offenses against two boys who were nine and ten years old.
The accused was taken into custody after eight children and one adult fell ill at the facility in mid-summer.
The senior citizen, from that region, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he was present at the courthouse on the end of the week.
However, he refused to admit one particular crime he was accused of, which was concerning a young boy.
The accused was remanded in custody before a additional proceeding on November 28th.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, detailed the defendant's actions to the legal proceedings.
She said his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were participating in a summer camp which he operated.
The defendant engaged in a "treat game" with the minors, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and request they to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had played this game with the young males "for many years", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the next day.
She said the man had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had suspicions in July 2025.
The prosecutor added: "In the summer" his stepchild had worries about the activities, for good reason.
"They resolved" to have a look in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel said objects including lubricant, ointment and injection devices were located, and his family member notified the police about his worries.
She said the defendant continued to play the "treat game" with six children that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the next day.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that stage," she added.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was examining Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.
The legal representative stated the children were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so the stepson contacted the law enforcement a second time.
She said the man then conducted the "sweet game" in a area of five children.
