A man who laced candy with tranquilliser and distributed them to children at a youth camp in the region has confessed to sexual crimes against two boys aged nine and ten years old.
The accused was taken into custody after eight youngsters and an older person fell ill at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.
The senior citizen, from that region, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
Yet, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was concerning a young boy.
The defendant was remanded in custody ahead of a additional proceeding on November 28th.
'Candy game'
The legal representative, prosecuting, described Ruben's offending to the court.
She explained his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a summer program which he ran.
Ruben engaged in a "candy game" with the minors, the prosecutor explained, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and request they to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She informed the proceedings the defendant had conducted this practice with the boys "over an extended period", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She explained the man had been able to explain this over a long period as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had concerns in recently.
Mrs Prior KC added: "In the summer" his stepson had worries about what was going on, for good reason.
"They chose" to have a look in the individual's items."
Mrs Prior KC stated items including infant oil, Vaseline and medical needles were found, and his stepchild notified the authorities about his worries.
She stated the man went on to engage in the "candy game" with six boys that time - that Saturday - and they were all ill the following morning.
"The police had not responded by that stage," she added.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, had stated that it was examining law enforcement's management of the situation.
The prosecutor stated the youngsters were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so the family member notified the authorities once more.
She stated the defendant then played the "candy game" in a room of five minors.
