A person who laced candy with sleeping medication and distributed them to children at a youth camp in the region has admitted sexual crimes against two boys aged between nine and ten.
The defendant was detained after eight minors and an older person experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from that region, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
Yet, he refused to admit one particular crime he was facing, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was kept in jail before a subsequent court date on November 28th.
'Sweet game'
The prosecutor, presenting evidence, described Ruben's offending to the court.
She stated his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a summer camp which he ran.
The man engaged in a "treat game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel explained, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to eat sweets "rapidly".
She told the court the defendant had played this game with the children "for many years", and children had previously fallen ill the next day.
She said the man had been able to explain this for many years as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepchild had worries in July 2025.
The prosecutor continued: "In the summer" his stepson had suspicions about the situation, for good reason.
"They resolved" to investigate in the individual's items."
The legal counsel explained items including lubricant, ointment and medical needles were found, and his stepchild alerted the authorities about his worries.
She stated Ruben proceeded to play the "treat game" with six children that evening - that Saturday - and they were all sick the next day.
"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that point," she added.
The oversight body, the police conduct office, had stated that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the incident.
The prosecutor explained the minors were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson contacted the authorities once more.
She stated the man then conducted the "candy game" in a area of five children.
