An individual who contaminated sweets with sleeping medication and gave them to children at a youth camp in the region has admitted sexual offences against two boys who were nine and 10.
The accused was taken into custody after eight children and one adult fell ill at the facility in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
Nevertheless, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was against a nine-year-old boy.
Ruben was kept in jail ahead of a additional proceeding on November 28th.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, prosecuting, described the defendant's actions to the legal proceedings.
She explained his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a summer program which he operated.
Ruben engaged in a "candy game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel explained, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were settling down and tell them to ingest treats "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge the man had engaged in this activity with the children "for many years", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She stated Ruben had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had suspicions in recently.
The prosecutor stated further: "Recently" his stepson had concerns about the situation, justifiably.
"They decided to have a look in the individual's items."
The legal counsel stated materials including baby oil, Vaseline and injection devices were discovered, and his family member notified the law enforcement about his concerns.
She stated the man proceeded to engage in the "candy game" with six children that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the subsequent day.
"The police had not responded by that stage," she continued.
The oversight body, the investigative body, previously told that it was examining the police response of the incident.
Mrs Prior said the minors were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson contacted the police once more.
She stated the defendant then engaged in the "sweet game" in a space of five youngsters.
