An individual who spiked sweets with tranquilliser and distributed them to minors at a youth camp in the area has admitted sexual crimes against two young males both between nine and ten.
The defendant was arrested after eight children and one adult fell ill at the location in mid-summer.
The senior citizen, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
The accused was held in detention ahead of a further hearing on late November.
'Sweet game'
The prosecutor, presenting evidence, detailed Ruben's offending to the court.
She said his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a summer program which he operated.
The defendant engaged in a "sweet game" with the minors, the prosecutor explained, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were settling down and tell them to ingest treats "rapidly".
She told the court the defendant had engaged in this activity with the boys "for many years", and minors had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She stated the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had suspicions in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC added: "In the summer" his stepchild had concerns about the activities, for good reason.
"They chose" to examine in the individual's items."
The prosecutor explained objects including lubricant, petroleum jelly and syringes were located, and his stepchild alerted the police about his worries.
She explained Ruben proceeded to conduct the "sweet game" with six children that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that point," she added.
The oversight body, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was reviewing the police response of the incident.
Mrs Prior stated the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson notified the police a second time.
She explained Ruben then engaged in the "treat game" in a space of five minors.
