A person who contaminated candy with tranquilliser and gave them to children at a summer camp in the region has confessed to sexual crimes against two children who were between nine and ten.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight minors and an older person experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.
The elderly man, from that region, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at the courthouse on the end of the week.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was concerning a young boy.
The defendant was kept in jail prior to a further hearing on 28 November.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, detailed the criminal behavior to the judicial body.
She explained his those affected were under-privileged children who were participating in a youth camp which he managed.
Ruben engaged in a "treat game" with the children, the legal counsel explained, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were settling down and request they to ingest treats "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge the man had engaged in this activity with the boys "for many years", and children had previously become sick the next day.
She explained the man had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had worries in summer 2025.
The prosecutor added: "In the summer" his stepchild had suspicions about what was going on, for good reason.
"They decided to investigate in the individual's items."
The prosecutor said materials including lubricant, Vaseline and medical needles were located, and his family member contacted the law enforcement about his worries.
She said the defendant went on to play the "candy game" with six boys that night - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that point," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the events.
The prosecutor said the children were struggling to walk due to their condition, so the stepson notified the authorities again.
She said the defendant then played the "treat game" in a area of five children.
