A person who spiked treats with tranquilliser and distributed them to youngsters at a summer program in the area has confessed to sexual offences against two boys who were nine and 10.
The accused was arrested after eight children and a grown-up fell ill at the facility in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from that region, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at the judicial center on Friday.
However, he denied a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was against a nine-year-old boy.
Ruben was remanded in custody prior to a further hearing on late November.
'Candy game'
The legal representative, presenting evidence, detailed the defendant's actions to the legal proceedings.
She said his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a summer camp which he operated.
The man conducted a "treat game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor explained, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and ask them to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She told the court the man had played this game with the children "over an extended period", and youngsters had previously become sick the subsequent day.
She explained Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had concerns in summer 2025.
The prosecutor added: "Recently" his stepson had worries about what was going on, justifiably.
"They decided to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC stated items including infant oil, ointment and injection devices were located, and his stepchild notified the police about his worries.
She said the man continued to play the "candy game" with six boys that night - that Saturday - and they were all ill the subsequent day.
"The police had not arrived by that time," she added.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
Mrs Prior explained the minors were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson called the law enforcement a second time.
She stated Ruben then played the "candy game" in a room of five children.
