A person who laced treats with sleeping medication and gave them to youngsters at a youth camp in the region has admitted sexual crimes against two children aged nine and 10.
The accused was arrested after eight youngsters and one adult fell ill at the location in mid-summer.
The senior citizen, from that region, admitted guilt to a total of 17 charges when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
However, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was involving a nine-year-old boy.
The defendant was kept in jail ahead of a subsequent court date on November 28th.
'Candy game'
The legal representative, presenting evidence, detailed the defendant's actions to the legal proceedings.
She stated his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a summer camp which he managed.
The defendant conducted a "candy game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor stated, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and tell them to eat sweets "rapidly".
She told the court the defendant had engaged in this activity with the boys "for many years", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She said Ruben had been capable of justifying this for many years as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had suspicions in recently.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "In the summer" his family member had suspicions about the activities, for good reason.
"They resolved" to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC stated objects including baby oil, Vaseline and syringes were located, and his family member contacted the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She said Ruben went on to play the "candy game" with six youngsters that evening - July 26th - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"Authorities" had not responded by that time," she stated further.
The oversight body, the police conduct office, had stated that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the incident.
Mrs Prior explained the minors were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson notified the authorities once more.
She said the man then engaged in the "treat game" in a space of five youngsters.
