An individual who spiked sweets with sedative and provided them to children at a youth camp in the region has confessed to sexual crimes against two boys both 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 76-year-old, from that region, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at the courthouse on recently.
Yet, he denied a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was concerning a young boy.
Ruben was kept in jail before a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
The prosecutor, prosecuting, outlined the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She stated his those affected were disadvantaged youngsters who were staying at a summer program which he managed.
The man played a "sweet game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and tell them to ingest treats "as fast as possible".
She informed the proceedings the defendant had played this game with the young males "over an extended period", and youngsters had previously become sick the next day.
She said the man had been able to explain this repeatedly as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had concerns in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC added: "In the summer" his stepson had suspicions about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They resolved" to examine in the individual's items."
The prosecutor explained objects including infant oil, Vaseline and injection devices were discovered, and his family member notified the authorities about his suspicions.
She stated the man continued to play the "candy game" with six youngsters that evening - July 26th - and they were everyone unwell the next day.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that point," she continued.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the events.
The prosecutor stated the children were struggling to walk due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson called the police a second time.
She said the man then engaged in the "sweet game" in a room of five children.