A man who laced candy with sleeping medication and gave them to youngsters at a summer program in the area has confessed to sexual offences against two children who were between nine and ten.
The accused was taken into custody after eight children and a grown-up fell ill at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The senior citizen, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
However, he refused to admit one particular crime he was charged with, which was against a young boy.
The accused was kept in jail before a further hearing on November 28th.
'Sweet game'
The prosecutor, presenting evidence, described the criminal behavior to the court.
She said his victims were under-privileged children who were participating in a summer program which he managed.
Ruben engaged in a "candy game" with the children, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would go into the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and request they to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had engaged in this activity with the boys "over an extended period", and minors had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She explained the man had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had concerns in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC added: "This year his family member had concerns about the situation, justifiably.
"They chose" to examine in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC said objects including infant oil, ointment and syringes were located, and his stepson alerted the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She stated Ruben went on to engage in the "sweet game" with six boys that time - July 26th - and they were all ill the next day.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that time," she stated further.
The oversight body, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
Mrs Prior stated the children were struggling to walk due to their condition, so the stepson contacted the authorities a second time.
She explained Ruben then engaged in the "treat game" in a room of five children.
