A man who spiked sweets with sleeping medication and distributed them to children at a summer program in the region has admitted sexual crimes against two boys both nine and 10.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight minors and an older person became sick at the facility in mid-summer.
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 disputed a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was involving a young boy.
The accused was kept in jail prior to a subsequent court date on November 28th.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, outlined the criminal behavior to the court.
She said his those affected were under-privileged children who were attending a summer program which he operated.
Ruben conducted a "candy game" with the children, the legal counsel said, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to ingest treats "rapidly".
She stated to the judge the defendant had played this game with the young males "for many years", and children had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She said the man had been capable of justifying this repeatedly as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had worries in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "Recently" his family member had concerns about the activities, with valid cause.
"They chose" to examine in the individual's items."
The legal counsel stated items including infant oil, petroleum jelly and medical needles were located, and his stepson notified the police about his worries.
She explained the defendant continued to engage in the "treat game" with six children that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the next day.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that time," she added.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, previously told that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the situation.
Mrs Prior said the minors were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson called the law enforcement a second time.
She said Ruben then played the "sweet game" in a room of five youngsters.
