A man who contaminated candy with sedative and provided them to minors at a summer program in the region has admitted sexual crimes against two children who were nine and ten years old.
The defendant was detained after eight minors and one adult fell ill at the facility in July.
The senior citizen, from that region, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
However, he denied one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was concerning a young boy.
The defendant was remanded in custody before a further hearing on late November.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, described the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She explained his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a summer program which he ran.
The defendant engaged in a "sweet game" with the children, Mrs Prior said, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to ingest treats "as fast as possible".
She told the court the defendant had engaged in this activity with the young males "for many years", and children had previously become sick the following morning.
She stated the defendant had been capable of justifying this for many years as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had concerns in summer 2025.
The legal representative added: "This year his stepchild had suspicions about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They chose" to investigate in the man's possessions."
The prosecutor said materials including infant oil, ointment and injection devices were located, and his stepson alerted the police about his worries.
She stated the man continued to engage in the "candy game" with six boys that night - that Saturday - and they were all ill the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that stage," she added.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the incident.
The prosecutor explained the children were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so the stepson contacted the law enforcement a second time.
She stated Ruben then conducted the "candy game" in a space of five minors.
