A person who spiked treats with tranquilliser and provided them to minors at a summer camp in the region has confessed to sexual offences against two boys both between nine and ten.
The defendant was arrested after eight youngsters and an older person became sick at the location in July.
The elderly man, from that region, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
However, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was against a young boy.
Ruben was kept in jail prior to a additional proceeding on late November.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, outlined the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She stated his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a summer camp which he ran.
The defendant conducted a "sweet game" with the minors, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and request they to consume candy "rapidly".
She told the court Ruben had engaged in this activity with the children "repeatedly", and children had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She stated the defendant had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had concerns in summer 2025.
The prosecutor added: "Recently" his family member had worries about the situation, with valid cause.
"They chose" to examine in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor stated objects including infant oil, petroleum jelly and syringes were found, and his stepson alerted the law enforcement about his concerns.
She explained the defendant went on to engage in the "candy game" with six boys that time - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that point," she stated further.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was examining law enforcement's management of the events.
Mrs Prior explained the children were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so the stepson called the authorities once more.
She said Ruben then played the "sweet game" in a space of five children.
