An individual who laced sweets with sedative and distributed them to youngsters at a summer camp in the area has confessed to sexual offenses against two young males aged nine and 10.
The defendant was arrested after eight minors and a grown-up experienced illness at the facility in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from that region, admitted guilt to a total of 17 charges when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
Yet, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
The accused was kept in jail ahead of a further hearing on 28 November.
'Candy game'
The legal representative, handling the case, outlined the defendant's actions to the court.
She said his victims were under-privileged children who were attending a summer camp which he managed.
Ruben played a "treat game" with the minors, the legal counsel stated, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and ask them to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge Ruben had conducted this practice with the boys "for many years", and children had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She said Ruben had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had worries in recently.
The prosecutor added: "In the summer" his stepchild had concerns about the activities, with valid cause.
"They chose" to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC stated materials including infant oil, petroleum jelly and syringes were found, and his stepson notified the law enforcement about his worries.
She explained the defendant continued to conduct the "candy game" with six children that evening - that Saturday - and they were all sick the next day.
"The police had not gone out by that stage," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, had stated that it was examining law enforcement's management of the incident.
The legal representative stated the children were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so the family member notified the law enforcement a second time.
She stated the defendant then played the "treat game" in a room of five minors.
