A man who contaminated treats with sedative and gave them to children at a youth camp in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two boys aged nine and ten years old.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight minors and one adult became sick at the facility in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from that region, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
Yet, he disputed a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was against a nine-year-old boy.
Ruben was held in detention ahead of a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, presenting evidence, detailed the criminal behavior to the judicial body.
She said his targets were under-privileged children who were attending a summer program which he operated.
Ruben played a "sweet game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior said, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to ingest treats "as fast as possible".
She told the court the man had engaged in this activity with the young males "repeatedly", and youngsters had previously become sick the following morning.
She said Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had suspicions in July 2025.
The prosecutor added: "In the summer" his stepchild had suspicions about the situation, with valid cause.
"They chose" to investigate in the individual's items."
Mrs Prior KC stated objects including baby oil, Vaseline and syringes were found, and his family member alerted the law enforcement about his worries.
She stated the defendant proceeded to play the "sweet game" with six children that time - July 26th - and they were all sick the next day.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that stage," she continued.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was examining Leicestershire Police's handling of the events.
Mrs Prior said the minors were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson contacted the police a second time.
She said the man then conducted the "candy game" in a area of five children.
