A person who contaminated candy with sleeping medication and distributed them to children at a summer program in the area has admitted sexual crimes against two young males who were nine and 10.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight minors and a grown-up became sick at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The senior citizen, from that region, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
Yet, he denied one particular crime he was charged with, which was against a young boy.
Ruben was kept in jail before a further hearing on November 28th.
'Candy game'
The legal representative, handling the case, detailed the defendant's actions to the court.
She said his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a summer camp which he managed.
The man played a "treat game" with the minors, the legal counsel stated, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were settling down and ask them to eat sweets "rapidly".
She informed the proceedings the defendant had conducted this practice with the young males "repeatedly", and children had previously fallen ill the next day.
She explained the man had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had suspicions in summer 2025.
The prosecutor stated further: "In the summer" his family member had suspicions about the situation, with valid cause.
"They decided to examine in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC explained materials including baby oil, petroleum jelly and injection devices were found, and his family member contacted the law enforcement about his worries.
She said the man went on to engage in the "candy game" with six children that time - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that point," she continued.
The police watchdog, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
Mrs Prior stated the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so the family member notified the law enforcement a second time.
She stated Ruben then engaged in the "treat game" in a space of five youngsters.