A person who laced sweets with sleeping medication and gave them to children at a youth camp in the area has admitted sexual offences against two children both nine and 10.
The defendant was detained after eight youngsters and a grown-up fell ill at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at the judicial center on Friday.
However, he disputed one particular crime he was facing, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was held in detention before a additional proceeding on late November.
'Candy game'
The prosecutor, presenting evidence, described Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She explained his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a youth camp which he ran.
The man engaged in a "treat game" with the children, the prosecutor said, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were settling down and request they to consume candy "rapidly".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had conducted this practice with the children "over an extended period", and minors had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She said the man had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had concerns in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC added: "Recently" his stepson had suspicions about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They chose" to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC said items including baby oil, petroleum jelly and injection devices were discovered, and his stepson notified the authorities about his suspicions.
She stated Ruben proceeded to engage in the "treat game" with six children that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that stage," she added.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was examining Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.
The legal representative explained the minors were struggling to walk due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson contacted the police once more.
She explained Ruben then engaged in the "candy game" in a space of five youngsters.