An individual who spiked sweets with tranquilliser and distributed them to minors at a youth camp in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two young males both nine and ten years old.
The accused was arrested after eight children and an older person experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in July.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
Nevertheless, he denied a single sexual charge he was facing, which was against a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was kept in jail ahead of a additional proceeding on November 28th.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, handling the case, described the criminal behavior to the judicial body.
She explained his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a summer program which he operated.
Ruben engaged in a "candy game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel explained, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge Ruben had conducted this practice with the boys "for many years", and children had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She said the man had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had worries in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "This year his stepson had suspicions about what was going on, justifiably.
"They resolved" to have a look in the individual's items."
Mrs Prior KC explained objects including lubricant, petroleum jelly and injection devices were located, and his family member contacted the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She stated the defendant continued to conduct the "sweet game" with six children that time - July 26th - and they were all sick the next day.
"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that point," she continued.
The oversight body, the police conduct office, had stated that it was examining Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
Mrs Prior stated the minors were struggling to walk due to their condition, so the stepson contacted the law enforcement again.
She stated the defendant then conducted the "candy game" in a area of five minors.
