🔗 Share this article

A person who laced candy with tranquilliser and gave them to youngsters at a summer program in the area has admitted sexual offences against two young males both between nine and ten.

The accused was arrested after eight minors and a grown-up became sick at the location in mid-summer.

The 76-year-old, from that region, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.

However, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was against a young boy.

The defendant was held in detention ahead of a further hearing on late November.

'Sweet game'

The prosecutor, handling the case, outlined Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.

She stated his victims were under-privileged children who were participating in a summer program which he managed.

The defendant played a "sweet game" with the minors, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were settling down and ask them to consume candy "as fast as possible".

She told the court the defendant had engaged in this activity with the children "repeatedly", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.

She explained the man had been able to explain this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepchild had worries in recently.

Mrs Prior KC stated further: "This year his stepson had concerns about what was going on, justifiably.

"They resolved" to investigate in the man's possessions."

Mrs Prior KC explained items including lubricant, ointment and injection devices were located, and his stepchild alerted the law enforcement about his suspicions.

She said Ruben proceeded to play the "candy game" with six boys that time - that Saturday - and they were all ill the subsequent day.

"Law enforcement" had not responded by that stage," she stated further.

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

Mrs Prior said the youngsters were struggling to walk due to their condition, so the family member contacted the law enforcement a second time.

She stated the defendant then conducted the "treat game" in a room of five minors.