A man who contaminated treats with sleeping medication and distributed them to youngsters at a youth camp in the region has confessed to sexual crimes against two children aged nine and 10.
The accused was arrested after eight youngsters and one adult experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The senior citizen, from that region, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he stood at the courthouse on Friday.
However, he denied one particular crime he was facing, which was involving a young boy.
The accused was remanded in custody ahead of a subsequent court date on late November.
'Candy game'
The prosecutor, presenting evidence, detailed the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She said his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a summer program which he managed.
The defendant played a "candy game" with the children, the prosecutor explained, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She told the court Ruben had played this game with the young males "over an extended period", and children had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She said Ruben had been capable of justifying this repeatedly as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had concerns in recently.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "This year his stepchild had suspicions about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They decided to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel said items including lubricant, Vaseline and syringes were located, and his family member alerted the authorities about his worries.
She said Ruben proceeded to play the "candy game" with six youngsters that time - July 26th - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that stage," she added.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, had stated that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the events.
Mrs Prior stated the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson contacted the law enforcement again.
She stated the man then played the "sweet game" in a area of five minors.
