A person who laced treats with sedative and distributed them to children at a summer program in the region has admitted sexual crimes against two young males both between nine and ten.
The defendant was detained after eight children and a grown-up became sick at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from that region, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
Yet, he disputed one particular crime he was facing, which was involving a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was remanded in custody prior to a further hearing on November 28th.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, handling the case, described Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She said his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were staying at a summer program which he operated.
The man conducted a "treat game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor stated, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She told the court the man had conducted this practice with the young males "over an extended period", and children had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She explained Ruben had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had suspicions in July 2025.
The legal representative stated further: "This year his stepson had suspicions about the activities, with valid cause.
"They chose" to examine in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC explained materials including infant oil, Vaseline and injection devices were located, and his stepchild notified the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She explained the defendant proceeded to conduct the "sweet game" with six youngsters that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the next day.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that time," she continued.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was examining the police response of the incident.
Mrs Prior stated the children were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so the stepson contacted the law enforcement a second time.
She said the man then engaged in the "sweet game" in a space of five children.
