A man who spiked candy with sleeping medication and gave them to children at a summer program in the area has confessed to sexual offenses against two young males aged nine and ten years old.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight youngsters and one adult experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from that region, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
Yet, he disputed one particular crime he was accused of, which was involving a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was kept in jail prior to a subsequent court date on late November.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, detailed Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She said his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were staying at a youth camp which he ran.
The man played a "candy game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and request they to ingest treats "rapidly".
She told the court Ruben had conducted this practice with the young males "repeatedly", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the next day.
She stated the man had been capable of justifying this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had worries in recently.
The prosecutor stated further: "Recently" his stepson had suspicions about the activities, for good reason.
"They chose" to examine in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC explained materials including infant oil, ointment and syringes were found, and his stepson notified the police about his worries.
She explained the defendant went on to conduct the "treat game" with six boys that evening - July 26th - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"Authorities" had not responded by that point," she continued.
The oversight body, the police conduct office, previously told that it was investigating the police response of the events.
Mrs Prior stated the children were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so the family member called the police a second time.
She said the man then played the "treat game" in a room of five minors.
