A man who spiked candy with sleeping medication and gave them to children at a summer program in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two young males aged between nine and ten.
The accused was arrested after eight children and an older person became sick at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.
The senior citizen, from that region, admitted guilt to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
However, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was kept in jail ahead of a additional proceeding on late November.
'Sweet game'
The legal representative, handling the case, detailed the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She stated his victims were under-privileged children who were participating in a summer camp which he operated.
The man played a "sweet game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior said, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to eat sweets "rapidly".
She informed the proceedings the defendant had engaged in this activity with the boys "for many years", and minors had previously become sick the subsequent day.
She explained Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had worries in summer 2025.
The prosecutor continued: "Recently" his family member had suspicions about what was going on, for good reason.
"They chose" to examine in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC stated materials including lubricant, petroleum jelly and syringes were discovered, and his stepson alerted the police about his worries.
She stated Ruben proceeded to conduct the "sweet game" with six boys that evening - July 26th - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that stage," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the police conduct office, previously told that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
The legal representative said the minors were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so the stepson contacted the police again.
She said the man then conducted the "sweet game" in a space of five children.
