A person who spiked treats with sleeping medication and distributed them to minors at a summer camp in the area has confessed to sexual offenses against two young males aged nine and 10.
The accused was taken into custody after eight youngsters and one adult experienced illness at the location in July.
The 76-year-old, from that region, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was kept in jail before a subsequent court date on November 28th.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, detailed the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She said his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were staying at a summer program which he ran.
The man played a "treat game" with the minors, Mrs Prior said, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were settling down and tell them to ingest treats "as fast as possible".
She informed the proceedings the man had engaged in this activity with the young males "repeatedly", and minors had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She explained the defendant had been capable of justifying this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had concerns in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC added: "In the summer" his stepchild had suspicions about the situation, with valid cause.
"They chose" to have a look in the individual's items."
Mrs Prior KC explained items including baby oil, petroleum jelly and syringes were found, and his stepson alerted the authorities about his worries.
She explained Ruben went on to conduct the "candy game" with six children that evening - July 26th - and they were all sick the next day.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that time," she continued.
The oversight body, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was examining law enforcement's management of the events.
Mrs Prior explained the children were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so the family member called the police once more.
She explained Ruben then conducted the "treat game" in a room of five minors.
