An individual who laced sweets with sleeping medication and gave them to children at a youth camp in the area has confessed to sexual offenses against two boys both between nine and ten.
The defendant was arrested after eight minors and a grown-up experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in July.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he was present at the courthouse on Friday.
However, he disputed a single sexual charge he was facing, which was involving a young boy.
Ruben was held in detention ahead of a further hearing on late November.
'Sweet game'
The legal representative, presenting evidence, outlined Ruben's offending to the court.
She said his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a summer program which he ran.
The man conducted a "sweet game" with the minors, the prosecutor stated, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She informed the proceedings the man had engaged in this activity with the boys "repeatedly", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She said Ruben had been capable of justifying this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had suspicions in summer 2025.
The prosecutor added: "Recently" his stepson had concerns about the situation, justifiably.
"They decided to have a look in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel stated materials including lubricant, petroleum jelly and medical needles were located, and his family member alerted the police about his suspicions.
She explained the man proceeded to conduct the "candy game" with six youngsters that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the following morning.
"Authorities" had not responded by that point," she continued.
The regulatory agency, the police conduct office, previously told that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the events.
Mrs Prior said the youngsters were struggling to walk due to their condition, so the family member notified the law enforcement a second time.
She explained the defendant then played the "sweet game" in a space of five children.
