A man who contaminated sweets with tranquilliser and gave them to youngsters at a summer program in the region has confessed to sexual crimes against two boys both nine and 10.
The accused was arrested after eight youngsters and an older person fell ill at the location in the summer month.
The senior citizen, from the Nottinghamshire area, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at the judicial center on recently.
However, he disputed one particular crime he was accused of, which was concerning a young boy.
Ruben was kept in jail prior to a further hearing on November 28th.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, presenting evidence, detailed the criminal behavior to the judicial body.
She said his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a summer program which he managed.
The defendant conducted a "treat game" with the minors, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would access the boys' rooms 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 boys "repeatedly", and children had previously fallen ill the next day.
She said the man had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepchild had concerns in July 2025.
The prosecutor added: "Recently" his stepchild had worries about the situation, justifiably.
"They resolved" to investigate in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC explained materials including baby oil, ointment and syringes were discovered, and his stepchild alerted the law enforcement about his concerns.
She stated Ruben proceeded to play the "treat game" with six boys that time - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.
"Authorities" had not responded by that stage," she continued.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.
The prosecutor said the children were struggling to walk due to being ill, so the family member notified the law enforcement a second time.
She explained the defendant then played the "sweet game" in a room of five youngsters.
