An individual who contaminated treats with sleeping medication and gave them to youngsters at a summer program in the area has admitted sexual crimes against two children both nine and ten years old.
The accused was detained after eight children and one adult fell ill at the facility in July.
The 76-year-old, from that region, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he was present at the courthouse on Friday.
Nevertheless, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was involving a young boy.
The defendant was kept in jail prior to a further hearing on late November.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, presenting evidence, outlined Ruben's offending to the court.
She stated his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were participating in a summer camp which he ran.
Ruben conducted a "treat game" with the minors, Mrs Prior said, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She told the court the defendant had played this game with the boys "over an extended period", and minors had previously become sick the subsequent day.
She said the defendant had been able to explain this over a long period as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had suspicions in summer 2025.
The prosecutor stated further: "Recently" his family member had worries about the activities, with valid cause.
"They decided to have a look in the individual's items."
The legal counsel explained materials including infant oil, Vaseline and injection devices were located, and his stepchild notified the authorities about his suspicions.
She explained the defendant went on to play the "sweet game" with six children that night - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that point," she continued.
The oversight body, the investigative body, had stated that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
Mrs Prior said the minors were struggling to walk due to being ill, so the stepson called the law enforcement a second time.
She said Ruben then played the "candy game" in a space of five children.
