A person who laced sweets with sleeping medication and provided them to children at a summer camp in the region has confessed to sexual offenses against two young males both between nine and ten.
The defendant was arrested after eight children and an older person fell ill at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from that region, admitted guilt to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
Nevertheless, he disputed a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was remanded in custody ahead of a subsequent court date on late November.
'Sweet game'
The prosecutor, presenting evidence, detailed the defendant's actions to the legal proceedings.
She said his those affected were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a summer program which he managed.
Ruben conducted a "treat game" with the children, the legal counsel said, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".
She informed the proceedings the defendant had played this game with the young males "over an extended period", and minors had previously fallen ill the next day.
She said the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had concerns in July 2025.
The legal representative added: "Recently" his stepson had suspicions about the situation, with valid cause.
"They resolved" to examine in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel explained items including lubricant, ointment and syringes were located, and his family member contacted the authorities about his suspicions.
She said Ruben continued to play the "candy game" with six children that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that stage," she added.
The oversight body, the investigative body, had stated that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
Mrs Prior explained the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so the family member contacted the authorities once more.
She explained Ruben then engaged in the "treat game" in a space of five minors.
