A person who laced treats with sleeping medication and gave them to youngsters at a youth camp in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two boys who were nine and ten years old.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight minors and an older person experienced illness at the facility in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he stood at the courthouse on Friday.
However, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was against a nine-year-old boy.
Ruben was kept in jail ahead of a further hearing on 28 November.
'Candy game'
The legal representative, handling the case, described the defendant's actions to the legal proceedings.
She stated his targets were under-privileged children who were participating in a summer camp which he operated.
Ruben conducted a "candy game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel explained, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She told the court the man had played this game with the children "for many years", and children had previously become sick the following morning.
She said Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had worries in summer 2025.
The prosecutor stated further: "This year his family member had concerns about the activities, with valid cause.
"They decided to have a look in the individual's items."
Mrs Prior KC said items including baby oil, petroleum jelly and injection devices were discovered, and his stepson contacted the police about his suspicions.
She explained Ruben continued to engage in the "treat game" with six children that evening - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that point," she added.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, previously told that it was examining Leicestershire Police's handling of the events.
The legal representative said the youngsters were struggling to walk due to their condition, so the family member contacted the authorities a second time.
She explained the man then played the "sweet game" in a space of five children.
