A person who contaminated treats with sleeping medication and provided them to children at a summer program in the area has confessed to sexual offenses against two children aged nine and ten years old.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight youngsters and one adult experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at the courthouse on Friday.
However, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was facing, which was concerning a young boy.
Ruben was kept in jail ahead of a further hearing on 28 November.
'Treat game'
The prosecutor, presenting evidence, outlined Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She explained his targets were under-privileged children who were attending a youth camp which he operated.
Ruben conducted a "candy game" with the children, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge the man had played this game with the boys "repeatedly", and children had previously become sick the following morning.
She stated the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had suspicions in summer 2025.
The prosecutor added: "Recently" his stepchild had suspicions about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They resolved" to examine in the individual's items."
Mrs Prior KC stated materials including infant oil, ointment and medical needles were discovered, and his stepchild contacted the police about his concerns.
She explained Ruben continued to play the "sweet game" with six children that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"Authorities" had not responded by that stage," she continued.
The oversight body, the investigative body, had stated that it was examining Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.
Mrs Prior explained the children were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so the family member contacted the law enforcement a second time.
She explained the man then played the "candy game" in a space of five youngsters.
