An individual who spiked sweets with sedative and provided them to children at a summer camp in the region has confessed to sexual offenses against two young males who were nine and 10.
The defendant was detained after eight youngsters and a grown-up became sick at the location in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from that region, admitted guilt to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was against a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was remanded in custody prior to a additional proceeding on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
The prosecutor, presenting evidence, outlined the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She said his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a summer camp which he operated.
Ruben conducted a "sweet game" with the minors, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge Ruben had conducted this practice with the children "repeatedly", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She explained the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had concerns in July 2025.
The prosecutor stated further: "In the summer" his family member had concerns about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They resolved" to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC explained objects including lubricant, petroleum jelly and syringes were found, and his stepchild contacted the authorities about his suspicions.
She said Ruben went on to play the "sweet game" with six boys that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the following morning.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that time," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was examining Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.
Mrs Prior said the minors were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so the stepson notified the police a second time.
She said the man then engaged in the "candy game" in a space of five minors.
