A man who contaminated treats with sedative and gave them to children at a summer program in the region has confessed to sexual offenses against two boys who were nine and ten years old.
The accused was arrested after eight children and one adult experienced illness at the facility in the summer month.
The senior citizen, from that region, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
Nevertheless, he denied a single sexual charge he was facing, which was involving a young boy.
Ruben was held in detention before a subsequent court date on November 28th.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, detailed the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She said his those affected were under-privileged children who were attending a summer camp which he operated.
The defendant conducted a "sweet game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel explained, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She told the court the man had conducted this practice with the children "repeatedly", and children had previously become sick the next day.
She explained the man had been capable of justifying this for many years as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had concerns in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC added: "This year his family member had worries about the activities, with valid cause.
"They decided to investigate in the individual's items."
The legal counsel explained items including infant oil, ointment and injection devices were discovered, and his stepson alerted the police about his suspicions.
She stated Ruben proceeded to play the "treat game" with six children that time - that Saturday - and they were all sick the following morning.
"The police had not arrived by that time," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the police conduct office, previously told that it was examining the police response of the incident.
Mrs Prior explained the minors were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so the family member notified the law enforcement once more.
She said the defendant then played the "sweet game" in a space of five minors.
