An individual who laced candy with tranquilliser and distributed them to youngsters at a summer program in the region has confessed to sexual offenses against two boys aged between nine and ten.
The accused was arrested after eight children and an older person became sick at the facility in mid-summer.
The senior citizen, from the Nottinghamshire area, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
However, he disputed one particular crime he was charged with, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was remanded in custody before a additional proceeding on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
The prosecutor, presenting evidence, described the criminal behavior to the judicial body.
She explained his targets were under-privileged children who were participating in a youth camp which he managed.
Ruben engaged in a "candy game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to ingest treats "as fast as possible".
She informed the proceedings the defendant had played this game with the young males "for many years", and children had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She explained Ruben had been able to explain this over a long period as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had suspicions in recently.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "This year his stepchild had suspicions about what was going on, for good reason.
"They chose" to have a look in the man's possessions."
The prosecutor explained objects including baby oil, Vaseline and injection devices were discovered, and his family member contacted the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She stated the man went on to engage in the "candy game" with six youngsters that night - that Saturday - and they were all ill the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that stage," she added.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was examining law enforcement's management of the incident.
The prosecutor said the children were struggling to walk due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson called the authorities a second time.
She stated Ruben then played the "sweet game" in a area of five children.
