A person who contaminated treats with sleeping medication and distributed them to children at a summer camp in the area has admitted sexual offenses against two children both nine and ten years old.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight minors and one adult experienced illness at the location in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from that region, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was facing, which was against a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was held in detention prior to a further hearing on November 28th.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, detailed Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She explained his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were staying at a youth camp which he operated.
The man conducted a "candy game" with the minors, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had played this game with the children "repeatedly", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She explained the man had been capable of justifying this repeatedly as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had suspicions in July 2025.
The prosecutor stated further: "This year his stepson had concerns about the activities, justifiably.
"They chose" to examine in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel explained objects including lubricant, petroleum jelly and injection devices were discovered, and his family member alerted the authorities about his worries.
She stated the defendant proceeded to conduct the "treat game" with six youngsters that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the next day.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that stage," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was examining the police response of the situation.
Mrs Prior stated the minors were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson contacted the police a second time.
She stated Ruben then conducted the "candy game" in a room of five youngsters.
