An individual who spiked treats with tranquilliser and distributed them to children at a youth camp in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two children who were between nine and ten.
The defendant was detained after eight youngsters and a grown-up fell ill at the facility in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from that region, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
Yet, he denied a single sexual charge he was facing, which was against a young boy.
The accused was kept in jail before a further hearing on late November.
'Sweet game'
The legal representative, presenting evidence, detailed the criminal behavior to the court.
She said his those affected were under-privileged children who were participating in a summer program which he operated.
The man played a "sweet game" with the minors, the prosecutor said, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and request they to eat sweets "rapidly".
She told the court the defendant had engaged in this activity with the young males "for many years", and minors had previously become sick the next day.
She stated the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had worries in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "In the summer" his family member had worries about the situation, for good reason.
"They chose" to examine in the individual's items."
The prosecutor explained items including infant oil, petroleum jelly and injection devices were located, and his stepchild alerted the police about his suspicions.
She explained the man went on to conduct the "candy game" with six boys that evening - that Saturday - and they were all sick the next day.
"The police had not gone out by that time," she added.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the situation.
The prosecutor explained the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson contacted the law enforcement again.
She stated the man then engaged in the "sweet game" in a room of five youngsters.
