A person who spiked treats with tranquilliser and distributed them to youngsters at a summer program in the region has admitted sexual crimes against two young males who were between nine and ten.
The accused was taken into custody after eight children and a grown-up became sick at the location in July.
The 76-year-old, from that region, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at the judicial center on the end of the week.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was facing, which was involving a nine-year-old boy.
The defendant was held in detention before a additional proceeding on late November.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, described Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She said his victims were under-privileged children who were attending a summer program which he ran.
The man played a "treat game" with the children, the prosecutor said, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and request they to ingest treats "as fast as possible".
She told the court the man had played this game with the young males "for many years", and youngsters had previously become sick the following morning.
She stated the defendant had been able to explain this over a long period as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had suspicions in July 2025.
The legal representative stated further: "This year his family member had concerns about the activities, justifiably.
"They resolved" to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor said materials including lubricant, petroleum jelly and syringes were located, and his stepson alerted the authorities about his suspicions.
She stated the man continued to engage in the "sweet game" with six children that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"The police had not arrived by that stage," she added.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
The legal representative stated the children were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson contacted the law enforcement once more.
She explained Ruben then played the "treat game" in a area of five minors.
