A person who contaminated candy with sleeping medication and provided them to children at a summer camp in the region has confessed to sexual crimes against two children who were between nine and ten.
The accused was arrested after eight minors and an older person experienced illness at the facility in July.
The senior citizen, from that region, admitted guilt to a total of 17 charges when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
Yet, he denied one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was kept in jail ahead of a further hearing on 28 November.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, detailed the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She explained his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a summer program which he managed.
Ruben conducted a "sweet game" with the minors, the prosecutor explained, in which he would go into the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had engaged in this activity with the children "over an extended period", and minors had previously fallen ill the next day.
She said Ruben had been capable of justifying this repeatedly as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had concerns in recently.
Mrs Prior KC added: "In the summer" his stepchild had worries about the activities, for good reason.
"They decided to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC explained objects including lubricant, Vaseline and syringes were located, and his family member alerted the police about his worries.
She said the man continued to engage in the "treat game" with six children that night - that Saturday - and they were all sick the next day.
"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that stage," she added.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, had stated that it was examining law enforcement's management of the events.
The legal representative said the children were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so the family member notified the police again.
She stated the man then played the "treat game" in a area of five minors.
