A man who spiked sweets with tranquilliser and provided them to youngsters at a youth camp in the region has admitted sexual crimes against two boys aged nine and ten years old.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight minors and a grown-up experienced illness at the facility in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
The accused was kept in jail before a further hearing on 28 November.
'Candy game'
The legal representative, prosecuting, described the criminal behavior to the court.
She said his those affected were under-privileged children who were participating in a youth camp which he managed.
The defendant engaged in a "candy game" with the children, Mrs Prior said, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to ingest treats "as fast as possible".
She told the court the man had played this game with the children "over an extended period", and minors had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She stated Ruben had been capable of justifying this repeatedly as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepchild had concerns in recently.
The prosecutor stated further: "In the summer" his family member had concerns about the activities, for good reason.
"They decided to investigate in the man's possessions."
The prosecutor said objects including baby oil, ointment and medical needles were located, and his stepchild notified the police about his concerns.
She said Ruben continued to play the "sweet game" with six children that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the next day.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that stage," she added.
The regulatory agency, the police conduct office, had stated that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the events.
The legal representative stated the minors were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so the family member notified the police again.
She explained Ruben then engaged in the "sweet game" in a space of five minors.
