A person who laced treats with sleeping medication and provided them to youngsters at a youth camp in the region has confessed to sexual crimes against two boys both nine and ten years old.
The defendant was arrested after eight minors and a grown-up experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.
The senior citizen, from that region, admitted guilt to a multiple criminal counts when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
Yet, he denied one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was against a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was held in detention before a further hearing on November 28th.
'Sweet game'
The prosecutor, handling the case, described 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 managed.
The defendant conducted a "treat game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor explained, in which he would go into the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and request they to consume candy "rapidly".
She told the court the defendant had engaged in this activity with the children "for many years", and children had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She said the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had concerns in summer 2025.
The prosecutor continued: "Recently" his stepchild had concerns about the situation, for good reason.
"They decided to examine in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel stated objects including lubricant, petroleum jelly and injection devices were located, and his stepchild notified the authorities about his worries.
She stated the man continued to play the "treat game" with six boys that evening - that Saturday - and they were all ill the next day.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that stage," she added.
The police watchdog, the police conduct office, had stated that it was investigating the police response of the events.
Mrs Prior stated the children were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so the family member contacted the law enforcement again.
She explained the defendant then engaged in the "sweet game" in a area of five minors.
