An individual who contaminated treats with sedative and provided them to minors at a summer program in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two boys both nine and ten years old.
The defendant was arrested after eight children and a grown-up fell ill at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The senior citizen, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
However, he refused to admit one particular crime he was charged with, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
Ruben was remanded in custody before a subsequent court date on November 28th.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, outlined Ruben's offending to the court.
She explained his those affected were disadvantaged youngsters who were participating in a summer program which he managed.
The man conducted a "treat game" with the children, the legal counsel stated, in which he would go into the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and request they to consume candy "rapidly".
She stated to the judge Ruben had engaged in this activity with the young males "for many years", and minors had previously fallen ill the next day.
She stated the defendant had been able to explain this for many years as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had worries in recently.
The legal representative continued: "Recently" his stepchild had worries about the activities, with valid cause.
"They chose" to examine in the individual's items."
The legal counsel said objects including baby oil, petroleum jelly and medical needles were discovered, and his family member alerted the authorities about his concerns.
She stated Ruben went on to conduct the "candy game" with six youngsters that evening - July 26th - and they were everyone unwell the next day.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that time," she stated further.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was examining Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.
The legal representative explained the children were struggling to walk due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson contacted the police a second time.
She explained the defendant then played the "treat game" in a room of five children.
