An individual who contaminated sweets with sedative and distributed them to minors at a youth camp in the region has confessed to sexual crimes against two boys aged between nine and ten.
The accused was arrested after eight children and an older person became sick at the location in July.
The senior citizen, from that region, admitted guilt to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
However, he denied one particular crime he was charged with, which was involving a young boy.
The accused was held in detention before a subsequent court date on November 28th.
'Candy game'
The prosecutor, presenting evidence, detailed the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She stated his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a youth camp which he operated.
The man engaged in a "treat game" with the minors, the prosecutor said, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and ask them to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".
She told the court the defendant had engaged in this activity with the children "for many years", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the next day.
She explained the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had worries in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "This year his stepson had suspicions about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They chose" to have a look in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel explained objects including lubricant, petroleum jelly and medical needles were found, and his stepson contacted the authorities about his suspicions.
She said the defendant proceeded to conduct the "candy game" with six youngsters that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that stage," she added.
The police watchdog, the police conduct office, had stated that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the events.
Mrs Prior explained the youngsters were struggling to walk due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson called the law enforcement a second time.
She explained Ruben then engaged in the "candy game" in a area of five youngsters.