A man who laced sweets with sedative and gave them to youngsters at a youth camp in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two boys aged nine and 10.
The defendant was detained after eight children and an older person fell ill at the facility in July.
The 76-year-old, from that region, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
Nevertheless, he denied a single sexual charge he was facing, which was involving a nine-year-old boy.
Ruben was remanded in custody ahead of a further hearing on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
The legal representative, presenting evidence, outlined the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She explained his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were participating in a summer camp which he managed.
Ruben engaged in a "sweet game" with the children, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were settling down and ask them to consume candy "rapidly".
She stated to the judge the man had played this game with the boys "for many years", and children had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She stated Ruben had been capable of justifying this repeatedly as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had concerns in summer 2025.
The prosecutor stated further: "This year his stepchild had suspicions about the activities, justifiably.
"They chose" to investigate in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC explained items including lubricant, petroleum jelly and injection devices were located, and his family member alerted the authorities about his concerns.
She explained Ruben proceeded to play the "candy game" with six boys that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that time," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the police conduct office, had stated that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.
The legal representative explained the children were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so the stepson contacted the police a second time.
She explained the man then engaged in the "treat game" in a space of five children.
