A man who spiked candy with sedative and provided them to youngsters at a summer program in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two young males who were between nine and ten.
The accused was detained after eight minors and an older person became sick at Stathern Lodge in July.
The 76-year-old, from that region, admitted guilt to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at the courthouse on Friday.
Yet, he disputed a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was against a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was remanded in custody prior to a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Candy game'
The prosecutor, handling the case, described Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She explained his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a summer program which he operated.
The man conducted a "treat game" with the minors, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to ingest treats "rapidly".
She told the court the defendant had conducted this practice with the boys "repeatedly", and minors had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She stated the defendant had been able to explain this repeatedly as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had worries in summer 2025.
The prosecutor continued: "In the summer" his stepson had concerns about what was going on, justifiably.
"They decided to have a look in the individual's items."
The legal counsel explained materials including baby oil, Vaseline and injection devices were discovered, and his stepson notified the authorities about his worries.
She said the defendant continued to play the "candy game" with six boys that time - that Saturday - and they were all ill the following morning.
"The police had not arrived by that point," she added.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.
The prosecutor said the minors were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so the family member notified the police again.
She explained Ruben then played the "candy game" in a space of five minors.
