A person who spiked treats with sleeping medication and gave them to minors at a summer camp in the area has admitted sexual offenses against two children who were between nine and ten.
The accused was taken into custody after eight children and one adult fell ill at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he stood at the judicial center on the end of the week.
Yet, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was involving a young boy.
The accused was remanded in custody ahead of a additional proceeding on 28 November.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, outlined Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She explained his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a summer program which he operated.
The man played a "sweet game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were getting ready for bed and request they to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She informed the proceedings the man had conducted this practice with the young males "repeatedly", and youngsters had previously become sick the next day.
She said the man had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had suspicions in recently.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "In the summer" his stepson had worries about the activities, justifiably.
"They chose" to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor said objects including lubricant, ointment and syringes were located, and his stepson notified the police about his suspicions.
She explained the man went on to conduct the "candy game" with six youngsters that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the next day.
"The police had not gone out by that point," she added.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.
The legal representative stated the minors were struggling to walk due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson notified the police again.
She stated the defendant then engaged in the "treat game" in a space of five youngsters.
