A person who spiked treats with sleeping medication and provided them to youngsters at a summer program in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two children who were nine and 10.
The accused was taken into custody after eight minors and a grown-up fell ill at the facility in July.
The 76-year-old, from that region, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he stood at the judicial center 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 child.
The defendant was remanded in custody ahead of a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
The legal representative, prosecuting, described the defendant's actions to the court.
She said his those affected were under-privileged children who were attending a summer program which he managed.
The defendant played a "sweet game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel said, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were settling down and tell them to eat sweets "rapidly".
She told the court the man had engaged in this activity with the young males "for many years", and youngsters had previously become sick the subsequent day.
She stated the defendant had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had suspicions in July 2025.
The prosecutor added: "Recently" his family member had suspicions about the activities, justifiably.
"They decided to examine in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor said materials including lubricant, petroleum jelly and injection devices were located, and his stepson contacted the authorities about his suspicions.
She stated Ruben went on to play the "sweet game" with six children that time - July 26th - and they were everyone unwell the next day.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that time," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.
Mrs Prior stated the children were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so the stepson notified the law enforcement again.
She stated the man then engaged in the "treat game" in a room of five minors.
