An individual who spiked treats with sleeping medication and provided them to minors at a summer camp in the area has confessed to sexual offenses against two children aged nine and ten years old.
The defendant was arrested after eight minors and one adult became sick at the location in the summer month.
The senior citizen, from the Nottinghamshire area, admitted guilt to a total of 17 charges when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
However, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was involving a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was kept in jail ahead of a subsequent court date on November 28th.
'Candy game'
The prosecutor, prosecuting, outlined the defendant's actions to the court.
She explained his targets were under-privileged children who were participating in a summer program which he operated.
Ruben played a "sweet game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would go into the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and ask them to consume candy "rapidly".
She stated to the judge the man had engaged in this activity with the young males "repeatedly", and children had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She stated Ruben had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had concerns in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC added: "In the summer" his stepson had worries about what was going on, for good reason.
"They decided to examine in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel stated items including baby oil, ointment and medical needles were discovered, and his stepson notified the authorities about his worries.
She explained Ruben proceeded to conduct the "candy game" with six youngsters that time - that Saturday - and they were all sick the next day.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that stage," she added.
The oversight body, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was examining Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
Mrs Prior said the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so the family member called the police once more.
She stated Ruben then engaged in the "sweet game" in a room of five minors.
