A man who contaminated candy with tranquilliser and provided them to children at a youth camp in the area has confessed to sexual crimes against two boys aged nine and ten years old.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight minors and a grown-up experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in July.
The 76-year-old, from that region, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit one particular crime he was charged with, which was concerning a young boy.
The accused was remanded in custody prior to a subsequent court date on late November.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, described Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She stated his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a summer camp which he managed.
The defendant played a "sweet game" with the children, the legal counsel explained, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were settling down and tell them to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She informed the proceedings the defendant had engaged in this activity with the young males "repeatedly", and minors had previously become sick the next day.
She explained the man had been capable of justifying this for many years as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepchild had worries in summer 2025.
The prosecutor added: "Recently" his family member had worries about the activities, with valid cause.
"They chose" to examine in the individual's items."
Mrs Prior KC explained materials including lubricant, Vaseline and medical needles were found, and his family member contacted the police about his concerns.
She said the defendant proceeded to conduct the "candy game" with six youngsters that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.
"The police had not gone out by that stage," she continued.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was examining the police response of the events.
The prosecutor said the minors were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so the stepson called the authorities again.
She stated the man then engaged in the "sweet game" in a area of five children.
