An individual who spiked candy with sedative and gave them to children at a summer program in the area has confessed to sexual crimes against two children who were nine and 10.
The accused was taken into custody after eight youngsters and a grown-up became sick at the location in July.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
However, he denied one particular crime he was charged with, which was against a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was kept in jail prior to a further hearing on November 28th.
'Candy game'
The prosecutor, presenting evidence, described the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She explained his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were participating in a youth camp which he ran.
Ruben conducted a "sweet game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to eat sweets "rapidly".
She told the court the man had conducted this practice with the children "repeatedly", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She explained the defendant had been capable of justifying this for many years as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had suspicions in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "In the summer" his stepson had worries about the activities, for good reason.
"They resolved" to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel explained objects including infant oil, ointment and syringes were discovered, and his stepchild alerted the law enforcement about his worries.
She stated Ruben continued to play the "treat game" with six youngsters that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the next day.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that stage," she added.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the situation.
Mrs Prior stated the minors were struggling to walk due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson called the authorities once more.
She said the defendant then played the "treat game" in a space of five youngsters.
