An individual who laced treats with tranquilliser and distributed them to children at a summer program in the area has confessed to sexual offences against two young males aged between nine and ten.
The accused was arrested after eight children and an older person fell ill at the facility in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a total of 17 charges when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
Nevertheless, he denied one particular crime he was charged with, which was involving a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was kept in jail prior to a additional proceeding on November 28th.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, outlined Ruben's offending to the court.
She explained his targets were under-privileged children who were staying at a summer camp which he operated.
The defendant engaged in a "treat game" with the children, the prosecutor stated, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and request they to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She told the court Ruben had played this game with the boys "over an extended period", and children had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She said the defendant had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had worries in summer 2025.
The legal representative stated further: "This year his stepson had worries about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They resolved" to have a look in the individual's items."
The legal counsel said items including infant oil, Vaseline and injection devices were discovered, and his family member notified the authorities about his concerns.
She said the man proceeded to play the "candy game" with six boys that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.
"Authorities" had not responded by that time," she added.
The regulatory agency, the police conduct office, had stated that it was examining Leicestershire Police's handling of the events.
The prosecutor explained the minors were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson notified the police again.
She stated Ruben then conducted the "treat game" in a space of five youngsters.
