An individual who contaminated treats with sleeping medication and provided them to minors at a summer program in the region has admitted sexual crimes against two boys aged nine and ten years old.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight youngsters and a grown-up fell ill at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.
The elderly man, from that region, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
However, he denied one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was involving a nine-year-old boy.
The defendant was held in detention prior to a subsequent court date on November 28th.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, described the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She explained his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a summer program which he operated.
The defendant engaged in a "candy game" with the minors, the prosecutor stated, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were settling down and tell them to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".
She told the court the man had engaged in this activity with the children "repeatedly", and youngsters had previously become sick the following morning.
She said the man had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had suspicions in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC added: "In the summer" his family member had concerns about what was going on, for good reason.
"They resolved" to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor explained materials including baby oil, petroleum jelly and medical needles were located, and his stepchild contacted the law enforcement about his worries.
She said the man continued to engage in the "candy game" with six youngsters that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.
"Authorities" had not responded by that point," she continued.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, had stated that it was investigating the police response of the situation.
The prosecutor explained the children were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson called the police once more.
She stated Ruben then conducted the "sweet game" in a area of five youngsters.
