A man who spiked candy with tranquilliser and gave them to minors at a summer program in the region has confessed to sexual offences against two boys both between nine and ten.
The accused was taken into custody after eight children and one adult experienced illness at the location in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from that region, admitted guilt to a total of 17 charges when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
Nevertheless, he denied a single sexual charge he was facing, which was involving a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was kept in jail ahead of a further hearing on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
The legal representative, prosecuting, described Ruben's offending to the court.
She stated his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a summer program which he ran.
Ruben played a "treat 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 eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She informed the proceedings the defendant had conducted this practice with the boys "repeatedly", and children had previously become sick the subsequent day.
She said the defendant had been able to explain this for many years as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had worries in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC added: "This year his stepchild had worries about the situation, justifiably.
"They chose" to examine in the individual's items."
Mrs Prior KC said objects including infant oil, Vaseline and medical needles were located, and his stepchild contacted the law enforcement about his concerns.
She explained Ruben went on to conduct the "sweet game" with six children that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the next day.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that point," she continued.
The oversight body, the police conduct office, previously told that it was reviewing the police response of the incident.
The prosecutor stated the minors were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson contacted the law enforcement a second time.
She said the defendant then engaged in the "treat game" in a area of five youngsters.
