A person who spiked sweets with sedative and distributed them to youngsters at a summer program in the region has confessed to sexual offenses against two children aged between nine and ten.
The defendant was arrested after eight minors and one adult experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from that region, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit one particular crime he was facing, which was against a young boy.
The accused was kept in jail ahead of a additional proceeding on late November.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, outlined the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She explained his those affected were under-privileged children who were participating in a youth camp which he managed.
Ruben engaged in a "sweet game" with the children, the prosecutor said, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to ingest treats "rapidly".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had played this game with the boys "repeatedly", and youngsters had previously become sick the subsequent day.
She stated the man had been capable of justifying this repeatedly as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepchild had concerns in July 2025.
The prosecutor continued: "This year his stepson had suspicions about the situation, for good reason.
"They decided to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor stated materials including baby oil, petroleum jelly and medical needles were discovered, and his stepson notified the police about his worries.
She said the man went on to engage in the "treat game" with six youngsters that time - that Saturday - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that stage," she added.
The police watchdog, the police conduct office, previously told that it was examining law enforcement's management of the events.
The legal representative stated the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson called the police again.
She explained the defendant then engaged in the "sweet game" in a room of five children.
