A man who spiked treats with sleeping medication and provided them to children at a summer program in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two young males both nine and ten years old.
The accused was arrested after eight minors and an older person became sick at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from that region, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
Yet, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was kept in jail before a subsequent court date on late November.
'Sweet game'
The prosecutor, presenting evidence, outlined the defendant's actions to the court.
She said his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were staying at a summer camp which he operated.
The man engaged in a "treat game" with the children, Mrs Prior said, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and request they to ingest treats "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge the man had played this game with the children "repeatedly", and youngsters had previously become sick the following morning.
She said the man had been able to explain this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had concerns in recently.
The prosecutor continued: "Recently" his stepchild had worries about the activities, for good reason.
"They chose" to investigate in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC stated materials including lubricant, ointment and medical needles were discovered, and his family member contacted the law enforcement about his concerns.
She explained Ruben proceeded to play the "candy game" with six children that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"The police had not responded by that stage," she stated further.
The oversight body, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the situation.
The legal representative said the children were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so the family member notified the police again.
She explained the man then engaged in the "sweet game" in a room of five minors.