A person who laced sweets with sedative and distributed them to youngsters at a summer camp in the region has confessed to sexual offences against two boys aged nine and 10.
The accused was detained after eight children and a grown-up fell ill at the facility 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.
Nevertheless, he denied one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was involving a young boy.
The accused was kept in jail before a subsequent court date on late November.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, outlined Ruben's offending to the court.
She said his those affected were disadvantaged youngsters who were staying at a summer program which he operated.
Ruben engaged in a "treat game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor said, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and request they to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge the man had played this game with the children "repeatedly", and children had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She stated the man had been capable of justifying this repeatedly as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had worries in July 2025.
The prosecutor continued: "Recently" his family member had suspicions about the activities, with valid cause.
"They chose" to examine in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor explained items including infant oil, ointment and injection devices were discovered, and his stepchild notified the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She stated Ruben went on to engage in the "candy game" with six youngsters that evening - July 26th - and they were all ill the subsequent day.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that stage," she continued.
The regulatory agency, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was investigating the police response of the situation.
The legal representative said the minors were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so the family member notified the authorities once more.
She stated Ruben then engaged in the "sweet game" in a space of five youngsters.
