A person who laced candy with sedative and provided them to youngsters at a summer camp in the area has admitted sexual offences against two boys aged nine and ten years old.
The defendant was arrested after eight children and one adult experienced illness at the location in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
Yet, he disputed a single sexual charge he was facing, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
The defendant was held in detention ahead of a further hearing on late November.
'Candy game'
The legal representative, handling the case, described the defendant's actions to the court.
She explained his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a summer camp which he managed.
Ruben engaged in a "treat game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel explained, in which he would go into the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge the defendant had played this game with the boys "over an extended period", and minors had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She explained Ruben had been able to explain this repeatedly as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had worries in recently.
The legal representative stated further: "In the summer" his stepson had worries about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They chose" to examine in the man's possessions."
The prosecutor said objects including infant oil, petroleum jelly and syringes were located, and his stepson alerted the authorities about his suspicions.
She stated Ruben continued to conduct the "treat game" with six youngsters that night - that Saturday - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that point," she added.
The oversight body, the police conduct office, previously told that it was investigating the police response of the incident.
Mrs Prior explained the minors were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so the family member called the law enforcement again.
She explained the defendant then conducted the "sweet game" in a space of five minors.
