A man who contaminated treats with tranquilliser and distributed them to minors at a summer program in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two young males both nine and ten years old.
The defendant was arrested after eight children and an older person experienced illness at the facility in July.
The senior citizen, from that region, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
However, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was remanded in custody prior to a subsequent court date on 28 November.
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, outlined the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She stated his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were participating in a youth camp which he ran.
The defendant engaged in a "candy game" with the minors, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to eat sweets "rapidly".
She informed the proceedings the man had engaged in this activity with the boys "for many years", and children had previously fallen ill the next day.
She stated the man had been capable of justifying this repeatedly as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepchild had suspicions in July 2025.
The prosecutor continued: "This year his family member had concerns about the situation, justifiably.
"They chose" to have a look in the individual's items."
The legal counsel stated items including infant oil, Vaseline and injection devices were located, and his stepchild alerted the authorities about his suspicions.
She stated the defendant continued to engage in the "treat game" with six youngsters that evening - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the next day.
"The police had not responded by that stage," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the police conduct office, had stated that it was investigating the police response of the incident.
The legal representative stated the children were struggling to walk due to being ill, so the stepson called the law enforcement once more.
She explained the man then engaged in the "treat game" in a area of five children.
A tech enthusiast and software developer with a passion for AI and machine learning, sharing insights from years of industry experience.
