A man who spiked sweets with sleeping medication and provided them to youngsters at a youth camp in the region has confessed to sexual offenses against two young males both nine and 10.
The defendant was arrested after eight children and an older person fell ill at the location in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from that region, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at the judicial center on the end of the week.
Yet, he refused to admit one particular crime he was charged with, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
Ruben was kept in jail ahead of a additional proceeding on 28 November.
'Candy game'
The prosecutor, handling the case, detailed the defendant's actions to the court.
She explained his targets were under-privileged children who were attending a youth camp which he managed.
The man played a "sweet game" with the children, Mrs Prior said, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were getting ready for bed and request they to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She informed the proceedings the defendant had conducted this practice with the young males "for many years", and minors had previously become sick the following morning.
She stated the man had been capable of justifying this repeatedly as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had suspicions in July 2025.
The legal representative added: "In the summer" his stepchild had suspicions about the activities, with valid cause.
"They decided to have a look in the individual's items."
The prosecutor stated materials including lubricant, petroleum jelly and medical needles were found, and his family member contacted the authorities about his suspicions.
She said Ruben continued to conduct the "treat game" with six boys that evening - July 26th - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that time," she continued.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the events.
The prosecutor said the children were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson called the law enforcement again.
She said the defendant then conducted the "candy game" in a area of five children.
