A man who laced candy with sleeping medication and distributed them to children at a youth camp in the region has confessed to sexual crimes against two children both between nine and ten.
The accused was detained after eight youngsters and an older person experienced illness at the facility in the summer month.
The elderly man, from that region, admitted guilt to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
However, he denied one particular crime he was facing, which was involving a young boy.
Ruben was kept in jail ahead of a additional proceeding on 28 November.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, prosecuting, detailed the defendant's actions to the court.
She explained his victims were under-privileged children who were participating in a summer program which he operated.
Ruben conducted a "treat game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior said, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and request they to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had engaged in this activity with the children "over an extended period", and children had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She stated Ruben had been capable of justifying this repeatedly as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had concerns in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "Recently" his stepson had concerns about the activities, for good reason.
"They chose" to investigate in the individual's items."
Mrs Prior KC said materials including infant oil, ointment and syringes were found, and his family member contacted the law enforcement about his concerns.
She stated Ruben proceeded to engage in the "sweet game" with six boys that time - that Saturday - and they were all sick the next day.
"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that point," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.
The prosecutor explained the youngsters were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so the stepson contacted the law enforcement a second time.
She explained the defendant then played the "sweet game" in a space of five minors.
