A person who spiked treats with sedative and provided them to children at a youth camp in the area has confessed to sexual offences against two children both between nine and ten.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight children and one adult fell ill at the location in the summer month.
The senior citizen, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he was present at the judicial center on the end of the week.
Yet, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was concerning a young boy.
Ruben was remanded in custody prior to a further hearing on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
The legal representative, handling the case, outlined the defendant's actions to the court.
She said his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were staying at a summer camp which he operated.
The man played a "candy game" with the minors, the prosecutor stated, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to consume candy "rapidly".
She told the court Ruben had engaged in this activity with the young males "for many years", and minors had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She explained the defendant had been able to explain this over a long period as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had worries in July 2025.
The legal representative added: "Recently" his family member had worries about the situation, justifiably.
"They decided to have a look in the man's possessions."
The prosecutor said items including baby oil, Vaseline and injection devices were discovered, and his stepchild alerted the law enforcement about his concerns.
She stated the defendant continued to play the "sweet game" with six children that night - that Saturday - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"The police had not gone out by that time," she added.
The police watchdog, the police conduct office, had stated that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the events.
The legal representative said the minors were struggling to walk due to their condition, so the stepson contacted the authorities a second time.
She said the defendant then engaged in the "candy game" in a room of five youngsters.
