An individual who laced candy with sleeping medication and distributed them to youngsters at a youth camp in the area has admitted sexual crimes against two boys aged between nine and ten.
The defendant was arrested after eight children and one adult experienced illness at the facility in the summer month.
The elderly man, from that region, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
Nevertheless, he denied a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was against a young boy.
Ruben was kept in jail ahead of a subsequent court date on November 28th.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, detailed Ruben's offending to the court.
She stated his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were staying at a youth camp which he ran.
The man conducted a "treat game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel explained, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to eat sweets "rapidly".
She informed the proceedings the defendant had played this game with the children "for many years", and minors had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She said the defendant had been able to explain this for many years as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had suspicions in summer 2025.
The prosecutor stated further: "Recently" his family member had concerns about the situation, justifiably.
"They decided to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor explained items including lubricant, petroleum jelly and syringes were found, and his stepson notified the police about his suspicions.
She stated the defendant went on to play the "sweet game" with six boys that evening - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.
"The police had not gone out by that point," she added.
The oversight body, the investigative body, previously told that it was examining law enforcement's management of the situation.
The legal representative said the children were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so the family member notified the authorities again.
She said the man then engaged in the "candy game" in a area of five minors.
