A person who contaminated sweets with sleeping medication and distributed them to children at a youth camp in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two children both nine and 10.
The defendant was detained after eight minors and an older person fell ill at Stathern Lodge in July.
The senior citizen, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was against a nine-year-old boy.
Ruben was held in detention ahead of a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
The prosecutor, prosecuting, described Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She stated his victims were under-privileged children who were attending a summer camp which he ran.
The man conducted a "candy game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were getting ready for bed and request they to ingest treats "as fast as possible".
She informed the proceedings the man had engaged in this activity with the children "over an extended period", and minors had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She said the man had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had concerns in recently.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "This year his family member had suspicions about what was going on, justifiably.
"They chose" to have a look in the man's possessions."
The prosecutor explained materials including baby oil, Vaseline and medical needles were found, and his family member notified the law enforcement about his worries.
She said Ruben continued to play the "treat game" with six boys that night - July 26th - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"The police had not gone out by that point," she added.
The oversight body, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the events.
Mrs Prior stated the minors were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so the family member called the authorities again.
She explained Ruben then conducted the "sweet game" in a space of five children.
