A man who laced treats with sedative and provided them to children at a summer camp in the region has confessed to sexual crimes against two boys aged between nine and ten.
The defendant was detained after eight minors and one adult fell ill at the location in the summer month.
The senior citizen, from that region, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was kept in jail before a additional proceeding on late November.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, detailed Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She said his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a summer camp which he ran.
Ruben played a "treat game" with the children, the prosecutor stated, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and ask them to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She informed the proceedings the defendant had conducted this practice with the children "for many years", and children had previously become sick the subsequent day.
She stated the man had been able to explain this over a long period as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had suspicions in July 2025.
The legal representative added: "This year his family member had worries about the situation, with valid cause.
"They resolved" to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel said materials including baby oil, Vaseline and syringes were located, and his stepson contacted the authorities about his worries.
She explained the man proceeded to conduct the "candy game" with six boys that evening - July 26th - and they were all sick the following morning.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that time," she added.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was examining Leicestershire Police's handling of the events.
The legal representative stated the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson called the police once more.
She said the man then played the "candy game" in a space of five children.
