A man who spiked sweets with sleeping medication and gave them to children at a summer camp in the region has admitted sexual offences against two boys who were nine and 10.
The accused was detained after eight youngsters and one adult fell ill at the location in July.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at the judicial center on the end of the week.
Nevertheless, he denied one particular crime he was charged with, which was involving a young boy.
Ruben was remanded in custody before a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Treat game'
The prosecutor, prosecuting, outlined the criminal behavior to the court.
She said his victims were under-privileged children who were staying at a summer camp which he managed.
The defendant played a "sweet game" with the children, the legal counsel said, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge the man had engaged in this activity with the children "for many years", and children had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She explained Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had suspicions in recently.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "Recently" his family member had concerns about what was going on, for good reason.
"They chose" to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel said objects including baby oil, Vaseline and medical needles were found, and his stepchild alerted the authorities about his concerns.
She explained the defendant continued to engage in the "sweet game" with six boys that night - that Saturday - and they were all sick the next day.
"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that time," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the events.
The prosecutor explained the minors were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson notified the law enforcement again.
She explained the defendant then engaged in the "sweet game" in a space of five youngsters.
