An individual who contaminated treats with sleeping medication and gave them to youngsters at a youth camp in the area has confessed to sexual crimes against two children who were nine and ten years old.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight children and a grown-up fell ill at the facility in July.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, admitted guilt to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
Yet, he refused to admit one particular crime he was charged with, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
The accused was kept in jail prior to a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, outlined the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She explained his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were participating in a summer camp which he managed.
Ruben engaged in a "candy game" with the minors, the prosecutor stated, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to ingest treats "rapidly".
She stated to the judge the man had conducted this practice with the children "for many years", and minors had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She stated the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had worries in July 2025.
The legal representative continued: "In the summer" his family member had suspicions about the activities, for good reason.
"They chose" to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel explained materials including infant oil, Vaseline and syringes were discovered, and his stepson contacted the police about his concerns.
She explained Ruben continued to play the "treat game" with six boys that time - July 26th - and they were all ill the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that point," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the police conduct office, had stated that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the incident.
Mrs Prior explained the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson contacted the authorities a second time.
She explained the defendant then engaged in the "candy game" in a area of five children.
