An individual who laced sweets with sleeping medication and provided them to youngsters at a summer program in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two boys aged nine and 10.
The defendant was arrested after eight children and an older person became sick at Stathern Lodge in July.
The senior citizen, from that region, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at the judicial center on the end of the week.
Nevertheless, he denied one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
The defendant was remanded in custody before a further hearing on November 28th.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, outlined the criminal behavior to the court.
She said his victims were under-privileged children who were staying at a summer program which he managed.
Ruben engaged in a "candy game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel stated, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and request they to ingest treats "as fast as possible".
She informed the proceedings the defendant had engaged in this activity with the boys "over an extended period", and children had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She explained the defendant had been capable of justifying this for many years as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had suspicions in summer 2025.
The legal representative stated further: "This year his stepson had concerns about the situation, with valid cause.
"They chose" to investigate in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC stated materials including infant oil, petroleum jelly and medical needles were found, and his stepson contacted the authorities about his worries.
She stated the defendant proceeded to conduct the "candy game" with six youngsters that time - July 26th - and they were all ill the subsequent day.
"The police had not gone out by that stage," she continued.
The police watchdog, the police conduct office, previously told that it was examining Leicestershire Police's handling of the events.
The legal representative stated the children were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so the stepson called the police once more.
She stated Ruben then conducted the "candy game" in a space of five children.
