A person who laced sweets with tranquilliser and distributed them to youngsters at a summer program in the area has admitted sexual offences against two boys who were between nine and ten.
The accused was taken into custody after eight children and one adult fell ill at the facility in July.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, admitted guilt to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at the courthouse on Friday.
Yet, he denied a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was against a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was kept in jail prior to a further hearing on late November.
'Sweet game'
The prosecutor, prosecuting, detailed the defendant's actions to the legal proceedings.
She stated his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were participating in a youth camp which he managed.
Ruben engaged in a "sweet game" with the minors, the prosecutor said, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge the defendant had played this game with the young males "repeatedly", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the next day.
She stated the defendant had been capable of justifying this for many years as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had concerns in July 2025.
The prosecutor continued: "In the summer" his stepson had worries about what was going on, justifiably.
"They decided to examine in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor said items including lubricant, Vaseline and syringes were located, and his family member alerted the police about his worries.
She stated the defendant continued to conduct the "sweet game" with six children that time - that Saturday - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"The police had not gone out by that time," she continued.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, had stated that it was examining Leicestershire Police's handling of the events.
The prosecutor said the minors were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so the family member contacted the police once more.
She explained Ruben then played the "sweet game" in a space of five youngsters.
