An individual who laced treats with sedative and provided them to children at a youth camp in the area has confessed to sexual offences against two boys aged nine and 10.
The defendant was arrested after eight children and an older person experienced illness at the facility in the summer month.
The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
Yet, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was facing, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
The defendant was kept in jail prior to a subsequent court date on November 28th.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, outlined the defendant's actions to the court.
She said his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were participating in a summer program which he operated.
The man engaged in a "candy game" with the minors, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and tell them to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".
She told the court Ruben had engaged in this activity with the children "over an extended period", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She explained the man had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had suspicions in summer 2025.
The prosecutor added: "Recently" his family member had worries about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They chose" to investigate in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC explained objects including lubricant, petroleum jelly and injection devices were found, and his family member alerted the police about his worries.
She explained Ruben continued to conduct the "sweet game" with six children that evening - that Saturday - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"The police had not gone out by that point," she continued.
The oversight body, the police conduct office, had stated that it was examining Leicestershire Police's handling of the events.
The prosecutor explained the minors were struggling to walk due to their condition, so the stepson called the law enforcement once more.
She explained the man then conducted the "treat game" in a space of five children.
