A person who spiked candy with sleeping medication and distributed them to children at a youth camp in the area has confessed to sexual crimes against two boys who were nine and ten years old.
The accused was taken into custody after eight minors and one adult fell ill at the location in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from that region, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
However, he refused to admit one particular crime he was charged with, which was against a young boy.
Ruben was kept in jail before a additional proceeding on November 28th.
'Treat game'
The prosecutor, prosecuting, outlined Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She explained his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were participating in a youth camp which he operated.
The man played a "treat game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had conducted this practice with the young males "repeatedly", and minors had previously become sick the next day.
She stated the man had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had concerns in July 2025.
The legal representative added: "In the summer" his family member had concerns about the situation, justifiably.
"They resolved" to examine in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC explained items including lubricant, ointment and injection devices were found, and his family member notified the law enforcement about his concerns.
She explained Ruben proceeded to engage in the "treat game" with six children that time - that Saturday - and they were all ill the next day.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that point," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the police conduct office, previously told that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the events.
The prosecutor explained the children were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so the family member notified the authorities again.
She stated the man then engaged in the "sweet game" in a room of five children.
