A person who spiked treats with sedative and provided them to youngsters at a youth camp in the region has admitted sexual offenses against two children who were nine and ten years old.
The accused was taken into custody after eight children and an older person fell ill at the facility in July.
The 76-year-old, from that region, admitted guilt to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was held in detention before a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Candy game'
The legal representative, handling the case, detailed Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She said his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a youth camp which he operated.
The man played a "sweet game" with the minors, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She told the court Ruben had played this game with the children "for many years", and children had previously become sick the subsequent day.
She stated the man had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had suspicions in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC added: "Recently" his family member had concerns about the activities, for good reason.
"They chose" to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC explained materials including infant oil, petroleum jelly and medical needles were discovered, and his family member contacted the law enforcement about his worries.
She stated the defendant continued to play the "candy game" with six children that time - that Saturday - and they were all ill the following morning.
"Authorities" had not responded by that stage," she added.
The regulatory agency, the police conduct office, had stated that it was examining Leicestershire Police's handling of the events.
Mrs Prior explained the children were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so the family member contacted the law enforcement again.
She stated Ruben then engaged in the "sweet game" in a space of five children.
