A man who spiked treats with sedative and distributed them to minors at a youth camp in the area has confessed to sexual crimes against two children both between nine and ten.
The defendant was detained after eight children and an older person experienced illness at the facility in mid-summer.
The senior citizen, from that region, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
However, he denied one particular crime he was accused of, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
The accused was kept in jail ahead of a subsequent court date on November 28th.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, outlined the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She explained his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a youth camp which he operated.
The man played a "candy game" with the minors, the legal counsel explained, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to ingest treats "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge the man had conducted this practice with the young males "for many years", and minors had previously become sick the subsequent day.
She explained Ruben had been capable of justifying this repeatedly as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had worries in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC added: "This year his family member had concerns about the activities, justifiably.
"They resolved" to examine in the individual's items."
The legal counsel said materials including infant oil, Vaseline and medical needles were discovered, and his stepson notified the authorities about his concerns.
She said the man continued to engage in the "sweet game" with six children that time - July 26th - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that point," she continued.
The oversight body, the police conduct office, had stated that it was examining the police response of the events.
Mrs Prior stated the children were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so the family member notified the law enforcement again.
She stated the defendant then engaged in the "treat game" in a space of five children.
