An individual who laced treats with tranquilliser and gave them to minors at a youth camp in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two boys both nine and ten years old.
The accused was arrested after eight youngsters and a grown-up fell ill at Stathern Lodge in July.
The 76-year-old, from that region, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
Yet, he disputed a single sexual charge he was facing, which was involving a young boy.
Ruben was kept in jail before a further hearing on 28 November.
'Candy game'
The prosecutor, handling the case, described Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She said his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a summer program which he managed.
The man engaged in a "sweet game" with the minors, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were settling down and request they to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had conducted this practice with the boys "for many years", and minors had previously become sick the following morning.
She explained Ruben had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had worries in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "This year his stepchild had suspicions about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They resolved" to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel said objects including lubricant, Vaseline and syringes were discovered, and his stepchild alerted the police about his concerns.
She stated Ruben continued to engage in the "sweet game" with six children that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the next day.
"The police had not arrived by that time," she added.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, had stated that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
The prosecutor said the minors were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so the family member called the law enforcement a second time.
She explained Ruben then played the "sweet game" in a space of five youngsters.
