An individual who spiked sweets with sleeping medication and provided them to minors at a summer program in the area has admitted sexual offenses against two children both nine and 10.
The defendant was arrested after eight youngsters and a grown-up became sick at the facility in mid-summer.
The senior citizen, from that region, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
However, he refused to admit one particular crime he was accused of, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was held in detention ahead of a further hearing on 28 November.
'Candy game'
The legal representative, prosecuting, described the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She explained his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were participating in a youth camp which he managed.
The defendant played a "treat game" with the minors, the legal counsel said, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and request they to ingest treats "rapidly".
She informed the proceedings the defendant had conducted this practice with the children "repeatedly", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She said the defendant had been able to explain this for many years as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had suspicions in July 2025.
The prosecutor stated further: "In the summer" his stepchild had worries about what was going on, justifiably.
"They decided to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel stated items including lubricant, Vaseline and medical needles were discovered, and his stepchild notified the authorities about his concerns.
She said the man went on to play the "candy game" with six boys that night - that Saturday - and they were all ill the next day.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that time," she continued.
The oversight body, the investigative body, had stated that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the events.
The prosecutor explained the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so the stepson called the authorities a second time.
She said the defendant then conducted the "sweet game" in a area of five youngsters.
