A man who spiked treats with sleeping medication and distributed them to children at a summer program in the area has admitted sexual offences against two young males both between nine and ten.
The accused was arrested after eight minors and a grown-up became sick at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
However, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was facing, which was against a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was remanded in custody ahead of a further hearing on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, detailed the criminal behavior to the court.
She explained his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a summer camp which he managed.
Ruben played a "treat game" with the children, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to consume candy "rapidly".
She stated to the judge Ruben had engaged in this activity with the boys "over an extended period", and children had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She explained the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had suspicions in summer 2025.
The prosecutor continued: "In the summer" his stepson had suspicions about the activities, justifiably.
"They chose" to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC stated items including lubricant, ointment and medical needles were located, and his stepson notified the law enforcement about his worries.
She explained Ruben went on to engage in the "sweet game" with six boys that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"The police had not gone out by that stage," she added.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the events.
Mrs Prior explained the minors were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson contacted the police a second time.
She said the man then conducted the "candy game" in a area of five youngsters.
