An individual who spiked candy with sleeping medication and distributed them to minors at a summer program in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two children both nine and ten years old.
The accused was taken into custody after eight youngsters and an older person experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in July.
The elderly man, from that region, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at the courthouse on the end of the week.
Nevertheless, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
Ruben was kept in jail before a additional proceeding on 28 November.
'Candy game'
The prosecutor, presenting evidence, described the criminal behavior to the court.
She said his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a youth camp which he managed.
The defendant played a "treat game" with the minors, the prosecutor explained, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to consume candy "rapidly".
She stated to the judge Ruben had played this game with the boys "over an extended period", and children had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She said Ruben had been able to explain this over a long period as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had suspicions in summer 2025.
The prosecutor continued: "Recently" his stepson had suspicions about the activities, with valid cause.
"They chose" to have a look in the individual's items."
The prosecutor said items including baby oil, petroleum jelly and injection devices were found, and his family member contacted the police about his suspicions.
She said the defendant went on to play the "candy game" with six boys that time - July 26th - and they were all sick the following morning.
"The police had not arrived by that point," she added.
The police watchdog, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.
The legal representative explained the minors were struggling to walk due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson called the police a second time.
She stated the man then played the "sweet game" in a area of five children.
