A person who laced candy with tranquilliser and gave them to youngsters at a summer camp in the region has admitted sexual offences against two young males who were between nine and ten.
The defendant was arrested after eight youngsters and one adult experienced illness at the location in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from that region, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
Yet, he disputed a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was concerning a young boy.
Ruben was kept in jail prior to a subsequent court date on late November.
'Sweet game'
The legal representative, presenting evidence, detailed the defendant's actions to the court.
She said his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were participating in a summer camp which he managed.
Ruben conducted a "candy game" with the children, the prosecutor said, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and request they to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".
She told the court the defendant had played this game with the young males "for many years", and children had previously become sick the next day.
She explained the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had worries in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "In the summer" his stepchild had concerns about the situation, with valid cause.
"They chose" to investigate in the man's possessions."
The prosecutor explained objects including infant oil, ointment and injection devices were discovered, and his stepchild alerted the authorities about his worries.
She explained the man proceeded to conduct the "candy game" with six children that night - July 26th - and they were all ill the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that time," she added.
The oversight body, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the incident.
The prosecutor explained the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so the stepson contacted the law enforcement again.
She said the man then conducted the "treat game" in a room of five youngsters.
