A man who spiked candy with sleeping medication and provided them to minors at a youth camp in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two boys who were nine and ten years old.
The defendant was arrested after eight youngsters and a grown-up fell ill at the facility in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from that region, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was against a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was held in detention prior to a further hearing on late November.
'Sweet game'
The prosecutor, presenting evidence, outlined Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She stated his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a summer program which he ran.
The defendant played a "candy game" with the minors, the legal counsel stated, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and tell them to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge the man had conducted this practice with the children "for many years", and youngsters had previously become sick the following morning.
She stated the defendant had been able to explain this for many years as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had suspicions in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "This year his family member had suspicions about the activities, justifiably.
"They decided to have a look in the individual's items."
The legal counsel said objects including baby oil, Vaseline and syringes were found, and his stepchild notified the law enforcement about his concerns.
She stated the man continued to engage in the "candy game" with six youngsters that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that stage," she added.
The oversight body, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the events.
The legal representative stated the children were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so the stepson called the police again.
She explained the man then engaged in the "candy game" in a space of five youngsters.
