An individual who laced treats with sleeping medication and distributed them to children at a summer camp in the area has confessed to sexual offenses against two young males who were nine and 10.
The defendant was detained after eight minors and an older person became sick at the location 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 Friday.
However, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was against a young boy.
The accused was kept in jail before a additional proceeding on late November.
'Sweet game'
The prosecutor, handling the case, detailed Ruben's offending to the court.
She said his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were staying at a summer program which he managed.
The defendant played a "sweet game" with the children, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".
She told the court the defendant had played this game with the boys "repeatedly", and minors had previously become sick the subsequent day.
She stated the man had been capable of justifying this for many years as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had worries in summer 2025.
The prosecutor continued: "In the summer" his family member had suspicions about the activities, for good reason.
"They resolved" to examine in the individual's items."
The legal counsel explained materials including lubricant, ointment and injection devices were found, and his family member alerted the police about his concerns.
She said Ruben continued to engage in the "treat game" with six boys that night - July 26th - and they were all ill the next day.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that point," she continued.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, had stated that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
Mrs Prior stated the children were struggling to walk due to being ill, so the stepson contacted the police again.
She stated the defendant then engaged in the "treat game" in a space of five children.
