A person who laced sweets with tranquilliser and provided them to youngsters at a summer program in the area has confessed to sexual crimes against two children aged between nine and ten.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight minors and an older person became sick at the facility in July.
The senior citizen, from that region, admitted guilt to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
However, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was kept in jail ahead of a further hearing on late November.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, outlined Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She explained his those affected were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a summer program which he managed.
The man conducted a "treat game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor explained, in which he would go into the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She informed the proceedings the defendant had played this game with the young males "over an extended period", and children had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She explained the man had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had concerns in summer 2025.
The prosecutor stated further: "In the summer" his family member had concerns about the situation, for good reason.
"They resolved" to have a look in the man's possessions."
The prosecutor said materials including baby oil, ointment and medical needles were located, and his family member alerted the police about his worries.
She stated Ruben went on to play the "treat game" with six children that night - July 26th - and they were all ill the following morning.
"The police had not arrived by that stage," she added.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, had stated that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the events.
The legal representative stated the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson notified the authorities a second time.
She explained Ruben then engaged in the "sweet game" in a space of five minors.
