A man who spiked treats with sleeping medication and gave them to minors at a summer camp in the region has admitted sexual offences against two boys aged between nine and ten.
The defendant was arrested after eight children and an older person fell ill at Stathern Lodge in July.
The 76-year-old, from that region, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
Yet, he refused to admit one particular crime he was charged with, which was against a young boy.
The accused was held in detention before a subsequent court date on late November.
'Candy game'
The legal representative, presenting evidence, outlined Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She explained his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a summer camp which he managed.
Ruben engaged in a "candy game" with the minors, Mrs Prior said, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and request they to ingest treats "as fast as possible".
She told the court the man had played this game with the young males "repeatedly", and minors had previously fallen ill the next day.
She explained Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had worries in summer 2025.
The legal representative added: "Recently" his stepchild had concerns about the situation, with valid cause.
"They decided to examine in the individual's items."
The legal counsel stated materials including infant oil, petroleum jelly and syringes were discovered, and his family member notified the authorities about his worries.
She said the defendant went on to conduct the "candy game" with six boys that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the next day.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that time," she stated further.
The oversight body, the police conduct office, previously told that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the incident.
The prosecutor stated the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so the family member called the authorities again.
She said the man then played the "candy game" in a space of five children.
