A man who laced treats with tranquilliser and distributed them to children at a summer program in the region has admitted sexual crimes against two young males both nine and ten years old.
The accused was detained after eight youngsters and one adult fell ill at the facility in July.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he was present at the judicial center on recently.
Yet, he denied a single sexual charge he was facing, which was involving a young boy.
The defendant was held in detention before a subsequent court date on late November.
'Sweet game'
The prosecutor, presenting evidence, described the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She explained his targets were under-privileged children who were staying at a youth camp which he operated.
The defendant played a "treat game" with the minors, Mrs Prior said, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She told the court Ruben had played this game with the boys "for many years", and youngsters had previously become sick the following morning.
She explained Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had worries in recently.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "In the summer" his family member had worries about the situation, for good reason.
"They decided to examine in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor explained objects including baby oil, ointment and injection devices were discovered, and his family member contacted the authorities about his worries.
She explained the man continued to play the "candy game" with six children that evening - July 26th - and they were all ill the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that time," she added.
The regulatory agency, the police conduct office, had stated that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.
The prosecutor said the children were struggling to walk due to being ill, so the stepson notified the authorities once more.
She explained the man then engaged in the "sweet game" in a area of five minors.
