An individual who spiked candy with sedative and provided them to children at a summer camp in the area has admitted sexual offences against two young males who were nine and 10.
The accused was detained after eight children and one adult experienced illness at the facility in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from that region, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at the judicial center on recently.
However, he refused to admit one particular crime he was charged with, which was against a young boy.
The defendant was kept in jail prior to a additional proceeding on late November.
'Candy game'
The prosecutor, prosecuting, outlined the criminal behavior to the judicial body.
She stated his targets were under-privileged children who were staying at a summer camp which he operated.
The defendant engaged in a "treat game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior said, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She informed the proceedings the man had engaged in this activity with the boys "over an extended period", and minors had previously become sick the following morning.
She explained the man had been capable of justifying this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had suspicions in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "This year his stepson had suspicions about the activities, justifiably.
"They resolved" to have a look in the individual's items."
The prosecutor stated materials including infant oil, petroleum jelly and medical needles were discovered, and his family member notified the police about his suspicions.
She explained the defendant continued to conduct the "sweet game" with six youngsters that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that stage," she continued.
The oversight body, the investigative body, previously told that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.
The prosecutor explained the minors were struggling to walk due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson contacted the police once more.
She explained Ruben then engaged in the "candy game" in a space of five children.
