A person who contaminated candy with sleeping medication and distributed them to youngsters at a summer program in the region has admitted sexual offenses against two boys who were nine and ten years old.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight children and an older person became sick at the facility in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from that region, admitted guilt to a total of 17 charges when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
However, he denied a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was against a nine-year-old child.
The accused was kept in jail ahead of a further hearing on late November.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, described Ruben's offending to the court.
She explained his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were staying at a youth camp which he ran.
The man played a "sweet game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel explained, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge Ruben had played this game with the boys "over an extended period", and minors had previously become sick the following morning.
She said Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepchild had suspicions in July 2025.
The legal representative added: "This year his family member had suspicions about the situation, with valid cause.
"They resolved" to have a look in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC said materials including baby oil, Vaseline and injection devices were found, and his family member notified the police about his suspicions.
She stated the defendant proceeded to conduct the "sweet game" with six youngsters that night - that Saturday - and they were all ill the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that stage," she added.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, had stated that it was examining law enforcement's management of the incident.
Mrs Prior explained the minors were struggling to walk due to being ill, so the stepson notified the police again.
She said the defendant then engaged in the "candy game" in a area of five youngsters.
