An individual who contaminated candy with sleeping medication and distributed them to minors at a youth camp in the region has confessed to sexual offences against two children who were nine and ten years old.
The defendant was arrested after eight minors and a grown-up became sick at the location in July.
The 76-year-old, from that region, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at the courthouse on the end of the week.
However, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was involving a young boy.
Ruben was kept in jail prior to a further hearing on 28 November.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, handling the case, outlined the criminal behavior to the judicial body.
She stated his targets were under-privileged children who were participating in a summer program which he ran.
The man conducted a "candy game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and tell them to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge the man had conducted this practice with the boys "over an extended period", and minors had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She stated the defendant had been able to explain this repeatedly as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had concerns in July 2025.
The prosecutor continued: "In the summer" his stepchild had suspicions about the situation, with valid cause.
"They resolved" to examine in the individual's items."
The legal counsel said materials including baby oil, ointment and medical needles were found, and his stepson contacted the police about his concerns.
She stated the defendant continued to play the "treat game" with six boys that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the next day.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that time," she stated further.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
The legal representative said the children were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so the family member notified the law enforcement again.
She said the man then conducted the "sweet game" in a space of five youngsters.
