An individual who spiked candy with sleeping medication and gave them to youngsters at a youth camp in the area has admitted sexual crimes against two children both between nine and ten.
The defendant was detained after eight youngsters and a grown-up experienced illness at the location in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from that region, admitted guilt to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
However, he denied one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was against a nine-year-old boy.
The defendant was held in detention before a additional proceeding on late November.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, detailed the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She explained his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a summer program which he operated.
The man conducted a "treat game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior said, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She informed the proceedings the defendant had engaged in this activity with the boys "over an extended period", and children had previously become sick the subsequent day.
She explained Ruben had been able to explain this for many years as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had worries in summer 2025.
The prosecutor added: "In the summer" his stepchild had concerns about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They decided to have a look in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel explained items including infant oil, Vaseline and medical needles were located, and his stepson contacted the law enforcement about his concerns.
She said the man went on to engage in the "treat game" with six children that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"The police had not gone out by that point," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the police conduct office, had stated that it was examining law enforcement's management of the incident.
Mrs Prior explained the minors were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so the stepson contacted the law enforcement a second time.
She stated the man then played the "treat game" in a space of five children.
