A man who spiked treats with tranquilliser and provided them to minors at a summer program in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two boys who were nine and 10.
The defendant was arrested after eight youngsters and a grown-up fell ill at Stathern Lodge in July.
The elderly man, from that region, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
Nevertheless, he denied a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
The accused was held in detention prior to a subsequent court date on late November.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, outlined Ruben's offending to the court.
She stated his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a youth camp which he operated.
Ruben conducted a "sweet game" with the minors, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and request they to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She told the court Ruben had engaged in this activity with the children "over an extended period", and minors had previously become sick the subsequent day.
She explained Ruben had been capable of justifying this repeatedly as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had suspicions in recently.
The legal representative stated further: "Recently" his stepchild had suspicions about the activities, for good reason.
"They chose" to investigate in the individual's items."
The legal counsel said items including lubricant, petroleum jelly and syringes were located, and his family member contacted the police about his suspicions.
She stated Ruben continued to conduct the "candy game" with six children that time - that Saturday - and they were all ill the following morning.
"Authorities" had not responded by that stage," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the events.
The legal representative explained the minors were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so the family member called the law enforcement again.
She stated the man then played the "sweet game" in a area of five children.
