A man who laced treats with sleeping medication and gave them to youngsters at a summer program in the area has admitted sexual offenses against two children who were between nine and ten.
The accused was detained after eight youngsters and an older person became sick at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The senior citizen, from that region, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
Nevertheless, he disputed a single sexual charge he was facing, which was against a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was kept in jail ahead of a additional proceeding on November 28th.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, detailed the defendant's actions to the legal proceedings.
She explained his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a youth camp which he ran.
Ruben conducted a "sweet game" with the minors, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were settling down and ask them to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She told the court the defendant had played this game with the young males "repeatedly", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She explained the defendant had been capable of justifying this for many years as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had worries in summer 2025.
The legal representative continued: "Recently" his stepchild had concerns about the activities, justifiably.
"They resolved" to investigate in the man's possessions."
The prosecutor said materials including lubricant, Vaseline and injection devices were discovered, and his stepchild contacted the authorities about his concerns.
She said the man went on to engage in the "candy game" with six boys that time - July 26th - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that point," she stated further.
The oversight body, the investigative body, previously told that it was examining the police response of the situation.
The legal representative explained the children were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson notified the police once more.
She explained the defendant then played the "candy game" in a area of five children.
