A man who laced candy with tranquilliser and provided them to youngsters at a youth camp in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two boys who were nine and ten years old.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight children and one adult became sick at the facility in July.
The senior citizen, from that region, admitted guilt to a multiple criminal counts when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
However, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was kept in jail before a further hearing on November 28th.
'Candy game'
The prosecutor, presenting evidence, detailed Ruben's offending to the court.
She explained his targets were under-privileged children who were participating in a summer program which he managed.
Ruben played a "sweet game" with the children, the legal counsel said, in which he would go into the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and request they to ingest treats "as fast as possible".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had engaged in this activity with the young males "for many years", and minors had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She said the man had been able to explain this repeatedly as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had worries in July 2025.
The legal representative stated further: "This year his stepson had concerns about what was going on, justifiably.
"They decided to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor said items including baby oil, ointment and syringes were found, and his stepchild contacted the police about his suspicions.
She said the man went on to conduct the "candy game" with six boys that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the next day.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that point," she added.
The oversight body, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was examining the police response of the events.
The prosecutor explained the children were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so the family member contacted the authorities once more.
She stated the man then engaged in the "treat game" in a area of five children.
