An individual who laced sweets with tranquilliser and gave them to youngsters at a summer program in the area has confessed to sexual offences against two children aged nine and ten years old.
The defendant was detained after eight youngsters and an older person experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from that region, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at the courthouse on Friday.
Yet, he refused to admit one particular crime he was accused of, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
The accused was kept in jail prior to a further hearing on November 28th.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, detailed the defendant's actions to the legal proceedings.
She said his those affected were under-privileged children who were participating in a summer program which he ran.
The defendant played a "sweet game" with the children, the legal counsel explained, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to ingest treats "as fast as possible".
She told the court Ruben had played this game with the children "repeatedly", and children had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She said the defendant had been able to explain this over a long period as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had concerns in recently.
The prosecutor continued: "Recently" his family member had concerns about the situation, justifiably.
"They decided to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor said materials including baby oil, Vaseline and syringes were located, and his family member notified the police about his worries.
She said Ruben went on to play the "treat game" with six children that evening - July 26th - and they were all sick the next day.
"The police had not responded by that point," she continued.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was examining Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
The legal representative said the children were struggling to walk due to their condition, so the family member notified the police a second time.
She stated the man then played the "candy game" in a area of five children.
