An individual who laced candy with sedative and distributed them to children at a summer program in the region has admitted sexual crimes against two young males both nine and ten years old.
The defendant was arrested after eight children and a grown-up became sick at the facility in July.
The senior citizen, from that region, admitted guilt to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at the courthouse on recently.
Yet, he disputed a single sexual charge he was facing, which was against a nine-year-old boy.
Ruben was held in detention ahead of a subsequent court date on late November.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, outlined the defendant's actions to the legal proceedings.
She said his those affected were under-privileged children who were attending a summer program which he operated.
The defendant engaged in a "sweet game" with the minors, the prosecutor explained, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were settling down and request they to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had conducted this practice with the young males "for many years", and minors had previously become sick the next day.
She explained the defendant had been capable of justifying this for many years as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had concerns in summer 2025.
The legal representative added: "This year his stepson had suspicions about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They chose" to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC said materials including baby oil, Vaseline and syringes were discovered, and his stepson notified the police about his suspicions.
She explained the defendant went on to engage in the "treat game" with six children that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the next day.
"The police had not responded by that stage," she continued.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.
The prosecutor stated the youngsters were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so the stepson contacted the authorities once more.
She explained the man then engaged in the "sweet game" in a space of five minors.
