A man who laced treats with sleeping medication and gave them to minors at a summer camp in the area has admitted sexual offences against two children both nine and ten years old.
The accused was detained after eight minors and an older person became sick at the location in July.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was against a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was held in detention prior to a additional proceeding on 28 November.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, handling the case, described the criminal behavior to the court.
She said his targets were under-privileged children who were staying at a summer program which he operated.
The man engaged in a "candy game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were settling down and tell them to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She informed the proceedings the man had played this game with the children "for many years", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She said Ruben had been able to explain this over a long period as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had concerns in recently.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "Recently" his stepson had concerns about the situation, justifiably.
"They resolved" to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor said objects including infant oil, Vaseline and syringes were discovered, and his stepchild notified the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She said the man proceeded to engage in the "candy game" with six boys that evening - July 26th - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that stage," she stated further.
The oversight body, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was examining law enforcement's management of the incident.
The prosecutor stated the youngsters were struggling to walk due to their condition, so the stepson called the authorities once more.
She stated Ruben then conducted the "sweet game" in a area of five children.
