An individual who laced sweets with sleeping medication and gave them to minors at a summer camp in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two boys aged nine and ten years old.
The defendant was detained after eight minors and one adult experienced illness at the location in the summer month.
The senior citizen, from that region, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
Yet, he disputed one particular crime he was facing, which was against a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was kept in jail before a further hearing on 28 November.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, detailed the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She stated his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were participating in a youth camp which he operated.
The man played a "treat game" with the minors, the prosecutor stated, in which he would go into the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and ask them to consume candy "rapidly".
She stated to the judge Ruben had played this game with the boys "over an extended period", and minors had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She explained the man had been capable of justifying this repeatedly as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had suspicions in July 2025.
The prosecutor stated further: "Recently" his stepson had suspicions about the situation, with valid cause.
"They decided to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel said items including infant oil, Vaseline and syringes were discovered, and his stepson alerted the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She explained Ruben proceeded to play the "candy game" with six children that evening - July 26th - and they were everyone unwell the next day.
"The police had not gone out by that point," she added.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the incident.
Mrs Prior said the children were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson called the law enforcement once more.
She said the defendant then engaged in the "sweet game" in a room of five children.
