An individual who contaminated sweets with tranquilliser and provided them to children at a youth camp in the region has admitted sexual crimes against two children aged between nine and ten.
The accused was detained after eight minors and a grown-up fell ill at the facility in July.
The 76-year-old, from that region, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he stood at the courthouse on Friday.
However, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
The accused was held in detention before a additional proceeding on November 28th.
'Candy game'
The legal representative, presenting evidence, outlined the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She stated his victims were under-privileged children who were staying at a youth camp which he managed.
Ruben played a "candy game" with the minors, the prosecutor explained, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and request they to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She told the court the defendant had engaged in this activity with the children "for many years", and children had previously become sick the next day.
She stated 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.
The prosecutor stated further: "Recently" his family member had concerns about what was going on, justifiably.
"They resolved" to investigate in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel explained materials including infant oil, Vaseline and syringes were found, and his stepchild alerted the authorities about his suspicions.
She explained the man proceeded to conduct the "candy game" with six boys that time - that Saturday - and they were all ill the next day.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that stage," she continued.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was examining Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
Mrs Prior said the minors were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so the stepson contacted the law enforcement again.
She explained the man then played the "treat game" in a area of five youngsters.
