A person who contaminated treats with tranquilliser and provided them to children at a summer camp in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two young males aged nine and 10.
The defendant was detained after eight youngsters and one adult fell ill at the location in mid-summer.
The senior citizen, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
Yet, he disputed a single sexual charge he was facing, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was held in detention before a additional proceeding on late November.
'Sweet game'
The legal representative, presenting evidence, outlined Ruben's offending to the court.
She explained his those affected were disadvantaged youngsters who were participating in a summer program which he ran.
The man played a "treat game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge the defendant had conducted this practice with the boys "repeatedly", and youngsters had previously become sick the next day.
She stated the man had been able to explain this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had worries in recently.
The prosecutor added: "In the summer" his family member had concerns about what was going on, justifiably.
"They resolved" to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC explained items including infant oil, petroleum jelly and medical needles were found, and his stepchild alerted the law enforcement about his worries.
She explained the man went on to conduct the "sweet game" with six children that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that stage," she added.
The oversight body, the investigative body, had stated that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the situation.
Mrs Prior explained the children were struggling to walk due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson called the law enforcement a second time.
She said Ruben then conducted the "candy game" in a room of five youngsters.
