A person who spiked sweets with tranquilliser and distributed them to minors at a youth camp in the area has confessed to sexual offenses against two boys aged nine and ten years old.
The defendant was arrested after eight minors and one adult became sick at Stathern Lodge in July.
The senior citizen, from that region, admitted guilt to a multiple criminal counts when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
Yet, he disputed a single sexual charge he was facing, which was involving a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was held in detention before a additional proceeding on 28 November.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, outlined Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She stated his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a summer program which he managed.
The defendant played a "sweet game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel explained, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She told the court the defendant had engaged in this activity with the boys "over an extended period", and youngsters had previously become sick the subsequent day.
She stated the man had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had concerns in recently.
The prosecutor continued: "In the summer" his family member had suspicions about the activities, justifiably.
"They chose" to investigate in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel stated items including baby oil, Vaseline and syringes were found, and his stepchild contacted the police about his concerns.
She stated the man continued to conduct the "candy game" with six boys that evening - that Saturday - and they were all ill the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that stage," she continued.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the events.
Mrs Prior said the minors were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so the stepson called the authorities a second time.
She explained Ruben then conducted the "candy game" in a room of five minors.
