An individual who laced sweets with tranquilliser and distributed them to children at a summer program in the region has admitted sexual offences against two children both nine and ten years old.
The defendant was detained after eight youngsters and one adult fell ill at the location in July.
The 76-year-old, from that region, admitted guilt to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
Nevertheless, he disputed one particular crime he was facing, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was held in detention before a further hearing on 28 November.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, detailed Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She stated his victims were under-privileged children who were participating in a summer program which he managed.
Ruben conducted a "candy game" with the minors, the prosecutor said, in which he would go into the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and tell them to ingest treats "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge the man had played this game with the boys "for many years", and minors had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She explained the man had been able to explain this over a long period as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had worries in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC added: "Recently" his stepson had suspicions about the activities, for good reason.
"They chose" to have a look in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC explained materials including baby oil, ointment and injection devices were discovered, and his family member alerted the law enforcement about his worries.
She said the defendant went on to play the "candy game" with six boys that time - that Saturday - and they were all ill the next day.
"The police had not gone out by that time," she continued.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was reviewing the police response of the incident.
The prosecutor said the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so the stepson notified the police again.
She stated the man then played the "candy game" in a space of five youngsters.
