A man who contaminated sweets with tranquilliser and provided them to youngsters at a summer program in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two children aged nine and 10.
The defendant was arrested after eight minors and one adult became sick at the location in July.
The 76-year-old, from that region, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
However, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was kept in jail ahead of a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
The prosecutor, presenting evidence, described the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She said his targets were under-privileged children who were staying at a summer camp which he ran.
Ruben conducted a "candy game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor stated, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were getting ready for bed and request they to eat sweets "rapidly".
She stated to the judge Ruben had conducted this practice with the young males "over an extended period", and minors had previously become sick the next day.
She said the defendant had been capable of justifying this repeatedly as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had worries in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "In the summer" his stepson had worries about the situation, for good reason.
"They resolved" to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor explained objects including lubricant, ointment and injection devices were found, and his family member notified the police about his suspicions.
She said the defendant proceeded to conduct the "candy game" with six youngsters that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the next day.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that point," she continued.
The oversight body, the investigative body, previously told that it was reviewing the police response of the incident.
The prosecutor explained the minors were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so the stepson notified the law enforcement a second time.
She said the defendant then engaged in the "sweet game" in a area of five minors.
