A man who contaminated candy with tranquilliser and distributed them to minors at a youth camp in the area has admitted sexual crimes against two children both nine and 10.
The defendant was detained after eight minors and a grown-up experienced illness at the location in July.
The senior citizen, from that region, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was against a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was held in detention before a additional proceeding on 28 November.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, presenting evidence, detailed the defendant's actions to the legal proceedings.
She said his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a youth camp which he operated.
Ruben conducted a "candy game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor said, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to consume candy "rapidly".
She stated to the judge Ruben had engaged in this activity with the children "for many years", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the next day.
She stated the defendant had been able to explain this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had suspicions in summer 2025.
The legal representative added: "In the summer" his stepson had concerns about what was going on, justifiably.
"They decided to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC said items including baby oil, Vaseline and syringes were found, and his stepson alerted the police about his worries.
She explained the man proceeded to play the "treat game" with six boys that night - that Saturday - and they were all ill the next day.
"Authorities" had not responded by that time," she continued.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, had stated that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.
The prosecutor said the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so the stepson notified the police a second time.
She stated the man then played the "candy game" in a room of five children.
