A person who laced treats with sedative and gave them to minors at a summer camp in the area has confessed to sexual offences against two young males who were nine and 10.
The accused was arrested after eight youngsters and an older person fell ill at the facility in the summer month.
The senior citizen, from that region, admitted guilt to a total of 17 charges when he stood at the judicial center on the end of the week.
However, he denied one particular crime he was facing, which was against a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was remanded in custody ahead of a further hearing on late November.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, described the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She explained his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a summer program which he operated.
The man engaged in a "candy game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel explained, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to ingest treats "as fast as possible".
She told the court the defendant had played this game with the boys "for many years", and minors had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She explained the man had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had worries in July 2025.
The legal representative stated further: "This year his stepson had worries about the activities, with valid cause.
"They resolved" to examine in the individual's items."
The prosecutor stated items including baby oil, Vaseline and syringes were located, and his stepson notified the authorities about his concerns.
She stated the defendant continued to conduct the "treat game" with six youngsters that time - that Saturday - and they were all ill the following morning.
"The police had not gone out by that point," she added.
The oversight body, the police conduct office, previously told that it was examining Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.
Mrs Prior said the children were struggling to walk due to being ill, so the family member contacted the police again.
She stated the defendant then played the "treat game" in a area of five minors.
