A person who contaminated candy with sedative and distributed them to children at a summer camp in the area has admitted sexual crimes against two young males both between nine and ten.
The accused was taken into custody after eight youngsters and an older person fell ill at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at the courthouse on the end of the week.
However, he disputed one particular crime he was accused of, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was held in detention ahead of a additional proceeding on 28 November.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, prosecuting, detailed the defendant's actions to the legal proceedings.
She stated his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a summer camp which he operated.
The man conducted a "treat game" with the children, Mrs Prior said, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were getting ready for bed and request they to eat sweets "rapidly".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had conducted this practice with the young males "over an extended period", and minors had previously become sick the next day.
She stated Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had suspicions in recently.
The legal representative continued: "In the summer" his stepson had worries about the situation, for good reason.
"They decided to investigate in the individual's items."
Mrs Prior KC said objects including lubricant, petroleum jelly and medical needles were found, and his stepchild contacted the police about his concerns.
She stated the man continued to conduct the "sweet game" with six youngsters that evening - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that stage," she added.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.
The prosecutor explained the minors were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so the stepson called the authorities a second time.
She explained Ruben then played the "treat game" in a space of five children.
