A man who contaminated treats with tranquilliser and distributed them to minors at a youth camp in the area has admitted sexual offenses against two young males aged nine and ten years old.
The accused was taken into custody after eight youngsters and an older person fell ill at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from that region, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he stood at the courthouse on Friday.
However, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was kept in jail ahead of a further hearing on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, detailed the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She stated his those affected were under-privileged children who were attending a summer camp which he managed.
The defendant played a "treat game" with the minors, the prosecutor stated, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge the man had played this game with the young males "for many years", and youngsters had previously become sick the following morning.
She said Ruben had been capable of justifying this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepchild had suspicions in summer 2025.
The prosecutor added: "Recently" his stepson had suspicions about what was going on, for good reason.
"They decided to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor said materials including lubricant, petroleum jelly and syringes were located, and his stepson contacted the authorities about his worries.
She explained the defendant proceeded to play the "sweet game" with six children that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the next day.
"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that stage," she added.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
The prosecutor said the children were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so the family member called the police again.
She said the man then played the "treat game" in a space of five children.
