A man who laced sweets with sedative and distributed them to children at a summer program in the area has admitted sexual offenses against two children aged between nine and ten.
The accused was arrested after eight youngsters and one adult experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, admitted guilt to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at the courthouse on the end of the week.
However, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was against a nine-year-old child.
The accused was remanded in custody ahead of a additional proceeding on late November.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, described Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She stated his victims were under-privileged children who were attending a summer program which he managed.
Ruben engaged in a "treat game" with the minors, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would go into the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to eat sweets "rapidly".
She stated to the judge the defendant had engaged in this activity with the boys "repeatedly", and minors had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She stated the man had been able to explain this repeatedly as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had worries in summer 2025.
The legal representative added: "In the summer" his family member had worries about the situation, for good reason.
"They chose" to have a look in the individual's items."
Mrs Prior KC explained materials including baby oil, Vaseline and medical needles were located, and his stepson contacted the law enforcement about his concerns.
She explained the defendant continued to engage in the "sweet game" with six boys that time - July 26th - and they were all ill the next day.
"Authorities" had not responded by that point," she added.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
The legal representative explained the minors were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson contacted the authorities again.
She explained Ruben then engaged in the "sweet game" in a area of five minors.
