An individual who contaminated treats with tranquilliser and gave them to children at a summer camp in the region has admitted sexual offenses against two children aged nine and ten years old.
The accused was arrested after eight youngsters and an older person experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The senior citizen, from that region, admitted guilt to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
However, he disputed one particular crime he was charged with, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was held in detention before a subsequent court date on late November.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, detailed the defendant's actions to the legal proceedings.
She said his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a youth camp which he ran.
The defendant played a "sweet game" with the minors, the prosecutor said, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".
She told the court Ruben had engaged in this activity with the boys "for many years", and youngsters had previously become sick the next day.
She explained the man had been able to explain this over a long period as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had worries in recently.
The legal representative continued: "In the summer" his family member had concerns about the situation, justifiably.
"They decided to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel stated objects including infant oil, petroleum jelly and injection devices were found, and his stepchild alerted the police about his worries.
She stated Ruben proceeded to engage in the "sweet game" with six boys that evening - July 26th - and they were all ill the subsequent day.
"The police had not gone out by that point," she continued.
The police watchdog, the police conduct office, had stated that it was investigating the police response of the situation.
The legal representative explained the children were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so the family member notified the police a second time.
She said the defendant then conducted the "sweet game" in a space of five youngsters.
