An individual who spiked treats with sedative and provided them to minors at a youth camp in the region has admitted sexual crimes against two boys aged nine and 10.
The accused was arrested after eight youngsters and an older person experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from that region, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
Yet, he disputed a single sexual charge he was facing, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
The accused was held in detention before a subsequent court date on November 28th.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, detailed Ruben's offending to the court.
She explained his targets were under-privileged children who were participating in a summer program which he managed.
Ruben engaged in a "candy game" with the children, the prosecutor stated, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were settling down and ask them to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge Ruben had engaged in this activity with the boys "over an extended period", and minors had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She said the man had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had worries in July 2025.
The prosecutor continued: "Recently" his stepson had suspicions about the activities, for good reason.
"They chose" to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel explained items including lubricant, ointment and syringes were discovered, and his stepchild contacted the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She explained the defendant continued to conduct the "treat game" with six boys that night - that Saturday - and they were all ill the next day.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that stage," she stated further.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was examining Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
The prosecutor explained the children were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson contacted the law enforcement again.
She explained the man then played the "treat game" in a area of five minors.
