A man who spiked sweets with sedative and distributed them to youngsters at a summer camp in the area has admitted sexual offences against two children who were nine and ten years old.
The accused was detained after eight minors and one adult became sick at the facility in July.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he was present at the courthouse on recently.
Yet, he denied a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was involving a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was held in detention ahead of a further hearing on 28 November.
'Candy game'
The legal representative, handling the case, outlined the defendant's actions to the legal proceedings.
She explained his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a summer camp which he managed.
The man engaged in a "sweet game" with the minors, the legal counsel explained, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She told the court the defendant had engaged in this activity with the boys "for many years", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She stated the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had worries in recently.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "This year his stepchild had worries about what was going on, for good reason.
"They chose" to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel said items including lubricant, petroleum jelly and medical needles were found, and his family member contacted the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She explained Ruben proceeded to play the "treat game" with six youngsters that evening - that Saturday - and they were all ill the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that stage," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the events.
The prosecutor stated the children were struggling to walk due to their condition, so the family member contacted the police again.
She explained Ruben then conducted the "sweet game" in a area of five children.
