A man who laced treats with sedative and distributed them to minors at a summer camp in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two boys aged between nine and ten.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight children and an older person fell ill at the location in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he was present at the judicial center on Friday.
However, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was involving a nine-year-old boy.
Ruben was held in detention ahead of a subsequent court date on late November.
'Candy game'
The prosecutor, presenting evidence, described the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She stated his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a summer program which he managed.
The defendant played a "candy game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel stated, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to ingest treats "as fast as possible".
She told the court the man had played this game with the young males "over an extended period", and children had previously become sick the following morning.
She stated the defendant had been capable of justifying this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had suspicions in summer 2025.
The prosecutor stated further: "In the summer" his stepchild had concerns about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They decided to have a look in the man's possessions."
The prosecutor explained objects including lubricant, ointment and injection devices were located, and his stepchild contacted the authorities about his worries.
She explained the man went on to play the "sweet game" with six youngsters that night - that Saturday - and they were all sick the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that point," she added.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, had stated that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.
The legal representative stated the minors were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so the stepson notified the police a second time.
She said the man then played the "treat game" in a area of five youngsters.
