A person who contaminated treats with tranquilliser and provided them to youngsters at a summer program in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two young males both nine and ten years old.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight youngsters and an older person fell ill at the facility in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from that region, admitted guilt to a total of 17 charges when he was present at the judicial center on the end of the week.
Nevertheless, he disputed a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
The accused was kept in jail ahead of a additional proceeding on November 28th.
'Candy game'
The legal representative, handling the case, described the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She said his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a summer program which he ran.
Ruben conducted a "treat game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor said, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and request they to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had engaged in this activity with the boys "repeatedly", and youngsters had previously become sick the next day.
She explained Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had worries in July 2025.
The legal representative continued: "In the summer" his stepson had suspicions about what was going on, justifiably.
"They decided to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel stated items including lubricant, ointment and injection devices were located, and his stepson notified the police about his suspicions.
She said Ruben continued to engage in the "candy game" with six youngsters that evening - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the next day.
"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that point," she continued.
The oversight body, the police conduct office, previously told that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.
The legal representative explained the youngsters were struggling to walk due to their condition, so the family member notified the police once more.
She said the man then conducted the "treat game" in a space of five youngsters.
