A person who laced sweets with sedative and distributed them to youngsters at a summer camp in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two young males both nine and ten years old.
The accused was detained after eight minors and an older person fell ill at the facility in the summer month.
The senior citizen, from that region, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
However, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was concerning a young boy.
The defendant was held in detention ahead of a additional proceeding on November 28th.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, prosecuting, outlined Ruben's offending to the court.
She stated his victims were under-privileged children who were participating in a youth camp which he managed.
Ruben conducted a "sweet game" with the minors, the prosecutor said, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to consume candy "rapidly".
She told the court the man had conducted this practice with the children "repeatedly", and minors had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She stated the man had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had concerns in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "Recently" his stepson had suspicions about the activities, justifiably.
"They chose" to investigate in the individual's items."
The legal counsel said materials including infant oil, petroleum jelly and syringes were found, and his stepchild alerted the police about his suspicions.
She explained Ruben went on to play the "sweet game" with six youngsters that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that time," she continued.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the incident.
The legal representative explained the youngsters were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson notified the law enforcement once more.
She explained the defendant then conducted the "sweet game" in a space of five youngsters.
