An individual who contaminated sweets with tranquilliser and provided them to children at a summer camp in the area has confessed to sexual crimes against two children who were nine and 10.
The accused was arrested after eight youngsters and an older person became sick at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.
The senior citizen, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
Nevertheless, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
The accused was held in detention ahead of a subsequent court date on November 28th.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, outlined the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She stated his targets were under-privileged children who were attending a youth camp which he ran.
Ruben engaged in a "sweet game" with the minors, the prosecutor stated, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and request they to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge Ruben had engaged in this activity with the young males "for many years", and minors had previously fallen ill the next day.
She said the man had been capable of justifying this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had worries in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC added: "In the summer" his stepson had concerns about what was going on, justifiably.
"They chose" to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC said materials including infant oil, Vaseline and medical needles were discovered, and his stepson alerted the authorities about his concerns.
She said Ruben went on to conduct the "candy game" with six children that night - July 26th - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that point," she stated further.
The oversight body, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was examining Leicestershire Police's handling of the events.
The prosecutor explained the children were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so the stepson notified the police again.
She explained Ruben then conducted the "sweet game" in a area of five minors.
