A person who laced sweets with tranquilliser and gave them to children at a youth camp in the region has confessed to sexual offenses against two young males aged nine and 10.
The defendant was detained after eight children and an older person fell ill at the location in July.
The 76-year-old, from that region, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
Yet, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was involving a young boy.
The accused was kept in jail prior to a subsequent court date on November 28th.
'Sweet game'
The prosecutor, handling the case, detailed the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She explained his those affected were under-privileged children who were attending a summer program which he operated.
The man engaged in a "sweet game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge the man had played this game with the children "over an extended period", and minors had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She stated Ruben had been capable of justifying this repeatedly as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had worries in summer 2025.
The prosecutor added: "This year his stepchild had suspicions about the situation, justifiably.
"They resolved" to have a look in the man's possessions."
The prosecutor stated objects including infant oil, ointment and syringes were found, and his stepchild contacted the law enforcement about his worries.
She stated the defendant went on to engage in the "treat game" with six youngsters that night - July 26th - and they were all ill the subsequent day.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that time," she added.
The oversight body, the investigative body, had stated that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the events.
The prosecutor said the children were struggling to walk due to their condition, so the family member notified the authorities again.
She stated Ruben then played the "treat game" in a room of five children.
