A person who contaminated sweets with tranquilliser and distributed them to youngsters at a youth camp in the area has confessed to sexual crimes against two boys aged nine and 10.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight youngsters and an older person became sick at the facility in July.
The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
Yet, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was facing, which was involving a young boy.
The accused was held in detention ahead of a additional proceeding on November 28th.
'Candy game'
The prosecutor, presenting evidence, outlined the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She said his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a summer camp which he operated.
Ruben played a "treat game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel stated, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and request they to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She told the court Ruben had conducted this practice with the young males "for many years", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She explained the man had been capable of justifying this for many years as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had worries in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "In the summer" his stepchild had concerns about what was going on, for good reason.
"They chose" to examine in the individual's items."
The prosecutor stated materials including infant oil, Vaseline and injection devices were discovered, and his family member alerted the law enforcement about his concerns.
She explained the defendant went on to engage in the "treat game" with six children that night - that Saturday - and they were all ill the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that point," she added.
The police watchdog, the police conduct office, previously told that it was examining Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
The legal representative explained the youngsters were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so the stepson contacted the police again.
She said the man then conducted the "treat game" in a room of five youngsters.
