An individual who contaminated candy with tranquilliser and distributed them to children at a summer program in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two young males aged nine and ten years old.
The accused was arrested after eight children and one adult fell ill at the location in July.
The elderly man, from that region, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
Nevertheless, he denied one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was against a young boy.
The accused was held in detention prior to a additional proceeding on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
The legal representative, presenting evidence, detailed Ruben's offending to the court.
She stated his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a summer program which he managed.
The man played a "sweet game" with the minors, the legal counsel stated, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and request they to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She informed the proceedings the man had played this game with the boys "repeatedly", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She stated Ruben had been capable of justifying this for many years as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had suspicions in recently.
The prosecutor stated further: "Recently" his family member had worries about the situation, justifiably.
"They decided to investigate in the individual's items."
The prosecutor stated items including baby oil, petroleum jelly and medical needles were located, and his stepson alerted the police about his concerns.
She said the man continued to engage in the "treat game" with six boys that evening - July 26th - and they were all sick the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that time," she stated further.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the events.
The legal representative said the children were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson notified the authorities once more.
She explained the man then conducted the "treat game" in a area of five children.
