An individual who contaminated treats with tranquilliser and gave them to children at a youth camp in the area has confessed to sexual offences against two boys aged nine and 10.
The accused was arrested after eight children and one adult became sick at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
Yet, he denied one particular crime he was charged with, which was against a nine-year-old boy.
The defendant was remanded in custody before a subsequent court date on late November.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, outlined Ruben's offending to the court.
She said his those affected were under-privileged children who were attending a summer program which he operated.
The defendant conducted a "candy game" with the children, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would go into the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".
She told the court the defendant had conducted this practice with the boys "repeatedly", and children had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She stated Ruben had been capable of justifying this for many years as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had concerns in summer 2025.
The legal representative added: "In the summer" his stepchild had concerns about the activities, with valid cause.
"They decided to examine in the individual's items."
The prosecutor stated objects including lubricant, petroleum jelly and syringes were located, and his stepson contacted the police about his suspicions.
She explained the man continued to play the "treat game" with six boys that night - July 26th - and they were all sick the following morning.
"The police had not gone out by that point," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was examining Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
Mrs Prior stated the youngsters were struggling to walk due to being ill, so the family member contacted the authorities a second time.
She stated Ruben then conducted the "sweet game" in a space of five children.
