An individual who laced treats with sedative and provided them to minors at a summer camp in the region has admitted sexual offences against two boys who were nine and 10.
The defendant was detained after eight youngsters and one adult experienced illness at the facility in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from that region, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was against a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was held in detention before a additional proceeding on late November.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, described Ruben's offending to the court.
She said his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a summer camp which he operated.
The defendant conducted a "candy game" with the children, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and tell them to ingest treats "as fast as possible".
She informed the proceedings the man had played this game with the children "for many years", and minors had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She explained the man had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had concerns in July 2025.
The prosecutor continued: "Recently" his stepchild had suspicions about what was going on, for good reason.
"They resolved" to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor explained objects including baby oil, Vaseline and syringes were discovered, and his stepchild notified the authorities about his worries.
She explained the man continued to conduct the "treat game" with six youngsters that evening - that Saturday - and they were all sick the following morning.
"Authorities" had not responded by that time," she continued.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was examining the police response of the incident.
The prosecutor said the youngsters were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so the family member called the authorities once more.
She said the man then played the "candy game" in a room of five minors.
