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A person who contaminated treats with sedative and distributed them to youngsters at a summer program in the area has admitted sexual offenses against two children both nine and ten years old.

The defendant was detained after eight children and one adult became sick at the facility in mid-summer.

The 76-year-old, from that region, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.

Yet, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was against a nine-year-old boy.

Ruben was kept in jail ahead of a further hearing on late November.

'Candy game'

The legal representative, presenting evidence, outlined Ruben's offending to the court.

She explained his those affected were disadvantaged youngsters who were staying at a summer camp which he ran.

The man played a "treat game" with the minors, Mrs Prior said, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to ingest treats "rapidly".

She informed the proceedings the man had engaged in this activity with the young males "over an extended period", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.

She explained the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had worries in July 2025.

The prosecutor continued: "Recently" his stepson had concerns about what was going on, justifiably.

"They chose" to examine in the individual's items."

Mrs Prior KC said objects including lubricant, ointment and syringes were discovered, and his stepson notified the law enforcement about his suspicions.

She stated the man continued to engage in the "candy game" with six boys that time - July 26th - and they were all sick the subsequent day.

"Authorities" had not responded by that time," she added.

The oversight body, the investigative body, previously told that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the incident.

The legal representative explained the children were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson notified the police once more.

She said the man then engaged in the "treat game" in a room of five children.