An individual who spiked treats with sedative and provided them to minors at a summer camp in the region has confessed to sexual crimes against two young males both nine and 10.
The accused was taken into custody after eight youngsters and a grown-up experienced illness at the location in July.
The elderly man, from that region, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
Yet, he denied one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was against a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was remanded in custody prior to a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
The prosecutor, prosecuting, detailed Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She stated his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a youth camp which he managed.
The man conducted a "sweet game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior said, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and request they to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge the man had engaged in this activity with the boys "over an extended period", and minors had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She said the defendant had been capable of justifying this for many years as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had worries in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC added: "Recently" his family member had concerns about the situation, with valid cause.
"They chose" to examine in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC said materials including baby oil, ointment and injection devices were located, and his family member notified the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She explained the defendant continued to engage in the "sweet game" with six children that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that point," she added.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was examining law enforcement's management of the situation.
The prosecutor said the children were struggling to walk due to being ill, so the stepson contacted the authorities once more.
She stated the man then conducted the "treat game" in a area of five youngsters.
