A person who contaminated treats with tranquilliser and distributed them to minors at a summer program in the region has admitted sexual crimes against two children both nine and ten years old.
The accused was arrested after eight children and an older person experienced illness at the location in July.
The senior citizen, from that region, admitted guilt to a multiple criminal counts when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit one particular crime he was facing, which was against a nine-year-old child.
The accused was kept in jail ahead of a additional proceeding on late November.
'Sweet game'
The legal representative, prosecuting, outlined Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She stated his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were staying at a summer program which he ran.
The man conducted a "candy game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would go into the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".
She informed the proceedings the defendant had engaged in this activity with the young males "repeatedly", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She said Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had concerns in summer 2025.
The prosecutor stated further: "This year his stepchild had worries about the activities, justifiably.
"They resolved" to examine in the man's possessions."
The prosecutor stated materials including lubricant, petroleum jelly and syringes were discovered, and his stepchild notified the authorities about his suspicions.
She said Ruben proceeded to engage in the "sweet game" with six youngsters that time - that Saturday - and they were all ill the next day.
"The police had not arrived by that stage," she continued.
The police watchdog, the police conduct office, had stated that it was examining law enforcement's management of the situation.
The prosecutor explained the minors were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson notified the authorities once more.
She stated the man then engaged in the "treat game" in a space of five youngsters.
