A man who spiked candy with sleeping medication and provided them to minors at a youth camp in the area has confessed to sexual crimes against two young males aged nine and 10.
The accused was detained after eight children and a grown-up fell ill at the facility in July.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
Yet, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was against a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was kept in jail before a additional proceeding on late November.
'Sweet game'
The prosecutor, prosecuting, outlined Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She said his those affected were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a youth camp which he managed.
Ruben conducted a "candy game" with the minors, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and request they to ingest treats "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge the man had played this game with the boys "over an extended period", and minors had previously fallen ill the next day.
She explained Ruben had been capable of justifying this for many years as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepchild had concerns in July 2025.
The prosecutor stated further: "This year his stepson had worries about what was going on, justifiably.
"They decided to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC explained objects including baby oil, ointment and medical needles were located, and his stepson alerted the law enforcement about his concerns.
She said the defendant continued to conduct the "sweet game" with six boys that evening - that Saturday - and they were all ill the next day.
"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that time," she added.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, previously told that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
Mrs Prior stated the minors were struggling to walk due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson notified the law enforcement once more.
She explained the defendant then conducted the "sweet game" in a area of five youngsters.
