A person who contaminated candy with sedative and provided them to minors at a summer program in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two children aged between nine and ten.
The accused was detained after eight children and one adult became sick at the location in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at the judicial center on Friday.
Yet, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was against a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was kept in jail before a further hearing on 28 November.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, outlined the defendant's actions to the legal proceedings.
She stated his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a summer camp which he managed.
The defendant conducted a "sweet game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor said, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were settling down and request they to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had conducted this practice with the young males "over an extended period", and children had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She stated the defendant had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had worries in summer 2025.
The legal representative added: "In the summer" his family member had concerns about what was going on, for good reason.
"They decided to examine in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel said objects including infant oil, ointment and syringes were found, and his family member contacted the law enforcement about his concerns.
She said the defendant continued to conduct the "candy game" with six youngsters that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that stage," she continued.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, previously told that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.
Mrs Prior stated the minors were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so the family member called the authorities a second time.
She explained the man then conducted the "candy game" in a space of five children.
