A man who laced treats with tranquilliser and provided them to minors at a summer camp in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two children who were nine and ten years old.
The defendant was arrested after eight youngsters and a grown-up became sick at Stathern Lodge in July.
The elderly man, from that region, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at the judicial center on recently.
Yet, he denied a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
The accused was remanded in custody prior to a additional proceeding on November 28th.
'Candy game'
The legal representative, presenting evidence, described the defendant's actions to the court.
She stated his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were participating in a summer camp which he ran.
The defendant conducted a "candy game" with the minors, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would go into the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and tell them to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She informed the proceedings the man had engaged in this activity with the children "for many years", and children had previously fallen ill the next day.
She stated the man had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had worries in July 2025.
The prosecutor added: "This year his stepchild had concerns about the activities, for good reason.
"They resolved" to examine in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel stated objects including lubricant, petroleum jelly and medical needles were located, and his stepchild notified the authorities about his worries.
She stated Ruben went on to engage in the "sweet game" with six boys that evening - July 26th - and they were everyone unwell the next day.
"The police had not arrived by that time," she added.
The regulatory agency, the police conduct office, had stated that it was examining Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
Mrs Prior explained the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson called the authorities a second time.
She said the defendant then engaged in the "treat game" in a space of five youngsters.
