A person who contaminated treats with sleeping medication and gave them to youngsters at a youth camp in the area has admitted sexual crimes against two children who were nine and ten years old.
The accused was taken into custody after eight children and a grown-up became sick at the facility in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from that region, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he was present at the judicial center on Friday.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was facing, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was remanded in custody ahead of a further hearing on late November.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, outlined Ruben's offending to the court.
She stated his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a youth camp which he managed.
The defendant engaged in a "sweet game" with the minors, the legal counsel said, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and request they to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge the defendant had conducted this practice with the young males "for many years", and children had previously become sick the next day.
She said the man had been capable of justifying this for many years as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had suspicions in July 2025.
The legal representative continued: "In the summer" his stepchild had suspicions about the situation, with valid cause.
"They resolved" to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel stated objects including lubricant, Vaseline and syringes were discovered, and his family member notified the authorities about his worries.
She stated Ruben continued to conduct the "sweet game" with six children that evening - July 26th - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that stage," she added.
The regulatory agency, the police conduct office, had stated that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.
The prosecutor said the children were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so the stepson notified the authorities once more.
She said the defendant then conducted the "treat game" in a space of five children.
