An individual who contaminated sweets with tranquilliser and provided them to youngsters at a youth camp in the area has confessed to sexual offenses against two young males who were nine and ten years old.
The accused was detained after eight children and one adult experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at the judicial center on Friday.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was held in detention ahead of a subsequent court date on late November.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, outlined Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She said his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a youth camp which he managed.
Ruben played a "candy game" with the minors, the prosecutor said, in which he would go into the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to eat sweets "rapidly".
She told the court the defendant had engaged in this activity with the children "repeatedly", and children had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She explained the man had been able to explain this over a long period as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had worries in summer 2025.
The legal representative stated further: "This year his stepchild had suspicions about the activities, with valid cause.
"They decided to examine in the man's possessions."
The prosecutor said items including baby oil, Vaseline and injection devices were discovered, and his family member contacted the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She said Ruben continued to play the "sweet game" with six boys that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the next day.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that point," she added.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the events.
Mrs Prior explained the children were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson notified the law enforcement once more.
She stated Ruben then engaged in the "sweet game" in a space of five children.
