An individual who laced sweets with sedative and gave them to youngsters at a summer camp in the region has confessed to sexual offenses against two boys who were between nine and ten.
The accused was taken into custody after eight minors and one adult fell ill at Stathern Lodge in July.
The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he stood at the courthouse on Friday.
Yet, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was against a young boy.
The defendant was kept in jail before a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
The legal representative, presenting evidence, detailed the defendant's actions to the legal proceedings.
She said his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a youth camp which he ran.
Ruben engaged in a "treat game" with the minors, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge Ruben had played this game with the young males "for many years", and minors had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She stated the man had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had worries in recently.
Mrs Prior KC added: "Recently" his stepchild had suspicions about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They chose" to have a look in the individual's items."
The legal counsel explained items including infant oil, petroleum jelly and medical needles were found, and his family member alerted the authorities about his suspicions.
She explained the defendant continued to play the "candy game" with six children that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that time," she continued.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.
The prosecutor stated the children were struggling to walk due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson contacted the authorities again.
She stated the man then conducted the "sweet game" in a space of five minors.
