An individual who laced treats with tranquilliser and distributed them to minors at a youth camp in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two young males aged nine and ten years old.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight children and a grown-up became sick at the facility in the summer month.
The senior citizen, from that region, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit one particular crime he was charged with, which was against a young boy.
The defendant was kept in jail prior to a further hearing on 28 November.
'Candy game'
The prosecutor, presenting evidence, described the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She said his those affected were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a summer camp which he operated.
The man conducted a "sweet game" with the children, Mrs Prior said, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She told the court Ruben had conducted this practice with the children "for many years", and children had previously become sick the following morning.
She explained the man had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had concerns in summer 2025.
The prosecutor stated further: "This year his stepchild had worries about the activities, for good reason.
"They resolved" to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC explained objects including lubricant, ointment and syringes were discovered, and his family member contacted the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She said the man proceeded to play the "treat game" with six children that night - that Saturday - and they were all sick the next day.
"The police had not arrived by that point," she added.
The oversight body, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the events.
The prosecutor said the minors were struggling to walk due to their condition, so the stepson contacted the police a second time.
She stated the defendant then engaged in the "sweet game" in a area of five children.
