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An individual who laced sweets with sleeping medication and provided them to youngsters at a youth camp in the region has confessed to sexual crimes against two boys both nine and 10.

The accused was taken into custody after eight minors and an older person fell ill at the location in mid-summer.

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

However, he denied one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.

Ruben was held in detention before a subsequent court date on late November.

'Treat game'

Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, described Ruben's offending to the judicial body.

She explained his targets were under-privileged children who were attending a youth camp which he ran.

The defendant played a "treat game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel said, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and request they to ingest treats "rapidly".

She told the court Ruben had engaged in this activity with the young males "repeatedly", and children had previously fallen ill the following morning.

She explained the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepchild had concerns in summer 2025.

The legal representative added: "This year his stepchild had concerns about what was going on, justifiably.

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

Mrs Prior KC said objects including infant oil, Vaseline and injection devices were discovered, and his stepchild notified the authorities about his suspicions.

She explained Ruben went on to engage in the "sweet game" with six boys that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the following morning.

"The police had not responded by that time," she added.

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

The prosecutor said the children were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so the stepson notified the authorities a second time.

She said the man then conducted the "sweet game" in a space of five children.