An individual who contaminated treats with sleeping medication and distributed them to minors at a summer program in the region has confessed to sexual crimes against two children aged nine and ten years old.
The defendant was detained after eight minors and an older person fell ill at the location in the summer month.
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.
Nevertheless, he disputed one particular crime he was accused of, which was against a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was held in detention prior to a further hearing on 28 November.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, outlined the defendant's actions to the court.
She said his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a youth camp which he ran.
Ruben played a "treat game" with the minors, the legal counsel explained, in which he would go into the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and request they to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".
She told the court Ruben had engaged in this activity with the children "over an extended period", and children had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She said the defendant had been capable of justifying this for many years as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had worries in recently.
The legal representative continued: "This year his stepson had concerns about the activities, with valid cause.
"They chose" to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel explained materials including lubricant, Vaseline and medical needles were discovered, and his family member alerted the police about his suspicions.
She explained Ruben continued to play the "candy game" with six boys that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that time," she stated further.
The oversight body, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was examining the police response of the situation.
Mrs Prior said the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so the stepson notified the police once more.
She said the man then conducted the "treat game" in a space of five youngsters.
