A person who spiked candy with sleeping medication and provided them to children at a summer program in the area has confessed to sexual crimes against two young males who were nine and ten years old.
The accused was arrested after eight children and an older person became sick at the location in July.
The 76-year-old, from that region, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit one particular crime he was facing, which was involving a young boy.
Ruben was kept in jail prior to a additional proceeding on late November.
'Candy game'
The prosecutor, handling the case, described Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She explained his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a youth camp which he operated.
The man played a "sweet game" with the minors, the legal counsel stated, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and request they to eat sweets "rapidly".
She stated to the judge the defendant had played this game with the boys "for many years", and children had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She stated Ruben had been able to explain this repeatedly as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had concerns in July 2025.
The legal representative added: "In the summer" his stepson had worries about the activities, for good reason.
"They resolved" to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC said items including infant oil, Vaseline and medical needles were located, and his stepchild contacted the police about his worries.
She stated Ruben proceeded to conduct the "sweet game" with six youngsters that night - that Saturday - and they were all sick the following morning.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that point," she continued.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the situation.
The prosecutor explained the children were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so the stepson contacted the law enforcement once more.
She stated Ruben then engaged in the "sweet game" in a space of five youngsters.
