A person who spiked candy with tranquilliser and distributed them to minors at a summer program in the area has admitted sexual offenses against two children aged nine and ten years old.
The accused was taken into custody after eight minors and one adult became sick at Stathern Lodge in July.
The senior citizen, from that region, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was remanded in custody before a additional proceeding on November 28th.
'Sweet game'
The legal representative, handling the case, described the defendant's actions to the legal proceedings.
She explained his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a summer program which he managed.
Ruben engaged in a "sweet game" with the children, Mrs Prior said, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge the defendant had played this game with the boys "for many years", and minors had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She said the man had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had worries in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "In the summer" his stepchild had worries about the situation, for good reason.
"They decided to examine in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor stated materials including baby oil, Vaseline and medical needles were discovered, and his stepchild alerted the police about his worries.
She said the defendant went on to play the "candy game" with six boys that time - July 26th - and they were all sick the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that time," she added.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the incident.
The prosecutor said the youngsters were struggling to walk due to being ill, so the family member notified the authorities a second time.
She said the man then conducted the "sweet game" in a room of five minors.
