A man who laced treats with sleeping medication and gave them to youngsters at a summer program in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two boys who were nine and ten years old.
The defendant was detained after eight children and one adult became sick at the facility in July.
The 76-year-old, from that region, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was concerning a young boy.
The defendant was remanded in custody before a further hearing on late November.
'Candy game'
The legal representative, prosecuting, described Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She said his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a summer program which he operated.
The man played a "treat game" with the children, the legal counsel explained, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to eat sweets "rapidly".
She told the court the defendant had engaged in this activity with the children "repeatedly", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She stated the man had been able to explain this over a long period as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had concerns in summer 2025.
The legal representative continued: "In the summer" his stepchild had concerns about what was going on, for good reason.
"They decided to examine in the man's possessions."
The prosecutor stated objects including lubricant, Vaseline and medical needles were found, and his stepchild contacted the authorities about his concerns.
She said Ruben continued to conduct the "sweet game" with six youngsters that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the next day.
"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that point," she stated further.
The oversight body, the investigative body, previously told that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the events.
The prosecutor stated the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so the stepson called the authorities a second time.
She said Ruben then conducted the "sweet game" in a area of five youngsters.
