A man who laced sweets with tranquilliser and provided them to minors at a youth camp in the region has confessed to sexual offenses against two boys both nine and ten years old.
The accused was taken into custody after eight children and a grown-up fell ill at the location in mid-summer.
The senior citizen, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
However, he refused to admit one particular crime he was facing, which was involving a young boy.
The accused was kept in jail ahead of a subsequent court date on late November.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, detailed Ruben's offending to the court.
She said his those affected were under-privileged children who were participating in a summer camp which he ran.
Ruben engaged in a "treat game" with the children, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".
She informed the proceedings the man had engaged in this activity with the children "repeatedly", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She explained the defendant had been able to explain this for many years as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had worries in recently.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "This year his stepchild had worries about the situation, for good reason.
"They resolved" to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC said materials including lubricant, ointment and injection devices were located, and his stepchild alerted the police about his suspicions.
She stated the defendant proceeded to engage in the "sweet game" with six children that time - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that time," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, had stated that it was reviewing the police response of the situation.
Mrs Prior said the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so the stepson contacted the law enforcement a second time.
She said the defendant then conducted the "candy game" in a area of five youngsters.
