An individual who spiked treats with sleeping medication and distributed them to minors at a youth camp in the region has confessed to sexual crimes against two boys who were nine and 10.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight children and a grown-up became sick at the location in the summer month.
The senior citizen, from that region, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
However, he refused to admit one particular crime he was facing, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was held in detention ahead of a subsequent court date on November 28th.
'Candy game'
The prosecutor, presenting evidence, outlined the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She explained his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were participating in a summer program which he managed.
The defendant played a "sweet game" with the minors, the legal counsel explained, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to consume candy "rapidly".
She told the court Ruben had engaged in this activity with the boys "repeatedly", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She explained Ruben had been able to explain this repeatedly as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had worries in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "In the summer" his family member had suspicions about the activities, with valid cause.
"They resolved" to have a look in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC stated objects including lubricant, Vaseline and injection devices were found, and his stepson alerted the authorities about his suspicions.
She said the man continued to conduct the "candy game" with six children that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that point," she stated further.
The oversight body, the investigative body, had stated that it was reviewing the police response of the incident.
Mrs Prior said the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so the family member called the law enforcement a second time.
She explained the man then conducted the "sweet game" in a area of five minors.
