A man who spiked candy with sleeping medication and gave them to youngsters at a summer program in the area has admitted sexual offences against two young males both nine and 10.
The accused was taken into custody after eight children and one adult became sick at Stathern Lodge in July.
The senior citizen, from that region, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit one particular crime he was charged with, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was remanded in custody ahead of a additional proceeding on November 28th.
'Treat game'
The prosecutor, presenting evidence, described Ruben's offending to the court.
She said his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a youth camp which he operated.
The man engaged in a "sweet game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor said, in which he would go into the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She told the court Ruben had engaged in this activity with the children "over an extended period", and minors had previously fallen ill the next day.
She explained the man had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had worries in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "This year his family member had suspicions about what was going on, justifiably.
"They chose" to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor said materials including lubricant, Vaseline and syringes were found, and his family member notified the police about his suspicions.
She stated the defendant continued to play the "candy game" with six youngsters that time - July 26th - and they were everyone unwell the next day.
"The police had not gone out by that stage," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was examining the police response of the incident.
The legal representative stated the children were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson contacted the law enforcement once more.
She said the defendant then played the "sweet game" in a space of five youngsters.
