A man who spiked candy with sleeping medication and distributed them to children at a youth camp in the region has admitted sexual crimes against two children aged between nine and ten.
The defendant was arrested after eight minors and a grown-up experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from that region, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit one particular crime he was facing, which was involving a nine-year-old boy.
Ruben was remanded in custody ahead of a additional proceeding on 28 November.
'Treat game'
The prosecutor, handling the case, detailed Ruben's offending to the court.
She said his those affected were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a summer program which he operated.
The defendant conducted a "treat game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel said, in which he would go into the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge Ruben had engaged in this activity with the boys "over an extended period", and minors had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She stated the defendant had been capable of justifying this repeatedly as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepchild had worries in July 2025.
The legal representative stated further: "Recently" his stepchild had worries about what was going on, for good reason.
"They resolved" to have a look in the individual's items."
The prosecutor said items including baby oil, Vaseline and medical needles were discovered, and his family member notified the law enforcement about his concerns.
She said the defendant continued to engage in the "sweet game" with six boys that night - July 26th - and they were all ill the next day.
"The police had not responded by that point," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the police conduct office, had stated that it was examining law enforcement's management of the events.
The legal representative stated the children were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson notified the police a second time.
She explained Ruben then conducted the "candy game" in a area of five youngsters.
