An individual who laced treats with sedative and gave them to children at a summer camp in the region has admitted sexual crimes against two children who were between nine and ten.
The defendant was arrested after eight children and a grown-up fell ill at the facility in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he was present at the judicial center on Friday.
Yet, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was facing, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
The accused was kept in jail ahead of a further hearing on late November.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, outlined Ruben's offending to the court.
She said his those affected were disadvantaged youngsters who were staying at a summer program which he managed.
The man engaged in a "candy game" with the minors, the legal counsel stated, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge Ruben had conducted this practice with the children "for many years", and minors had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She said the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had suspicions in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC added: "Recently" his family member had suspicions about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They chose" to examine in the individual's items."
The legal counsel said items including infant oil, Vaseline and medical needles were found, and his family member alerted the police about his worries.
She stated Ruben proceeded to engage in the "candy game" with six youngsters that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.
"The police had not gone out by that point," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.
The prosecutor explained the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so the stepson called the police once more.
She explained the man then conducted the "treat game" in a space of five youngsters.
