A person who spiked treats with sleeping medication and distributed them to youngsters at a youth camp in the region has confessed to sexual crimes against two young males both between nine and ten.
The accused was detained after eight minors and one adult fell ill at Stathern Lodge in July.
The senior citizen, from that region, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
However, he refused to admit one particular crime he was accused of, which was against a nine-year-old boy.
Ruben was kept in jail ahead of a subsequent court date on November 28th.
'Sweet game'
The legal representative, prosecuting, outlined Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She stated his targets were under-privileged children who were staying at a youth camp which he ran.
The defendant played a "sweet game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were settling down and ask them to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had conducted this practice with the boys "over an extended period", and children had previously fallen ill the next day.
She explained Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had worries in recently.
The prosecutor continued: "Recently" his family member had concerns about what was going on, justifiably.
"They resolved" to have a look in the individual's items."
Mrs Prior KC said items including lubricant, ointment and medical needles were located, and his family member contacted the authorities about his suspicions.
She explained Ruben proceeded to play the "sweet game" with six boys that evening - July 26th - and they were all ill the subsequent day.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that stage," she added.
The oversight body, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the events.
The legal representative said the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so the family member called the authorities a second time.
She explained Ruben then engaged in the "treat game" in a area of five youngsters.
