A man who laced treats with tranquilliser and provided them to children at a youth camp in the area has admitted sexual crimes against two boys both nine and 10.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight children and a grown-up experienced illness at the location in mid-summer.
The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he was present at the courthouse on Friday.
However, he denied one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was kept in jail before a further hearing on late November.
'Sweet game'
The prosecutor, handling the case, outlined Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She stated his those affected were disadvantaged youngsters who were staying at a summer camp which he ran.
The man engaged in a "sweet game" with the children, the prosecutor said, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to consume candy "rapidly".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had engaged in this activity with the boys "over an extended period", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She stated the man had been able to explain this repeatedly as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had suspicions in recently.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "Recently" his family member had concerns about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They chose" to investigate in the man's possessions."
The prosecutor stated items including infant oil, Vaseline and medical needles were found, and his family member alerted the authorities about his suspicions.
She said the man proceeded to conduct the "treat game" with six youngsters that evening - July 26th - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.
"Authorities" had not responded by that stage," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.
The legal representative stated the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so the family member called the law enforcement a second time.
She said the defendant then engaged in the "sweet game" in a room of five youngsters.
