An individual who contaminated candy with sleeping medication and provided them to youngsters at a summer program in the area has admitted sexual offences against two boys aged nine and 10.
The accused was arrested after eight children and one adult fell ill at Stathern Lodge in July.
The senior citizen, from that region, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at the courthouse on Friday.
Yet, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was against a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was remanded in custody prior to a subsequent court date on November 28th.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, handling the case, described Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She explained his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a youth camp which he operated.
The man conducted a "treat game" with the children, Mrs Prior said, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to ingest treats "as fast as possible".
She told the court the man had engaged in this activity with the young males "over an extended period", and youngsters had previously become sick the next day.
She said the man had been able to explain this for many years as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had suspicions in July 2025.
The prosecutor added: "This year his stepson had worries about what was going on, for good reason.
"They decided to investigate in the individual's items."
Mrs Prior KC said objects including lubricant, petroleum jelly and injection devices were found, and his family member notified the law enforcement about his concerns.
She said the man proceeded to conduct the "sweet game" with six boys that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the next day.
"The police had not gone out by that time," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the police conduct office, had stated that it was examining Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.
Mrs Prior said the minors were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so the family member called the authorities a second time.
She said the man then engaged in the "candy game" in a space of five children.
