An individual who laced candy with sleeping medication and provided 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 children and one adult became sick at the location in July.
The senior citizen, from that region, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
However, he refused to admit one particular crime he was accused of, which was against a young boy.
The accused was held in detention ahead of a subsequent court date on November 28th.
'Candy game'
The prosecutor, presenting evidence, outlined Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She explained his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were participating in a summer program which he operated.
The defendant conducted a "treat game" with the children, the prosecutor said, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She told the court Ruben had played this game with the young males "over an extended period", and children had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She stated Ruben had been able to explain this over a long period as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had worries in recently.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "This year his stepson had suspicions about the activities, justifiably.
"They chose" to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel stated items including baby oil, petroleum jelly and injection devices were located, and his stepson contacted the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She said the defendant proceeded to play the "treat game" with six youngsters that time - that Saturday - and they were all ill the next day.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that point," she added.
The oversight body, the investigative body, had stated that it was examining law enforcement's management of the events.
The prosecutor said the minors were struggling to walk due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson called the police again.
She stated Ruben then conducted the "treat game" in a room of five minors.
