An individual who spiked sweets with sleeping medication and provided them to children at a summer program in the area has confessed to sexual offenses against two young males aged nine and 10.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight youngsters and one adult experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
However, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was against a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was held in detention before a further hearing on 28 November.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, presenting evidence, detailed Ruben's offending to the court.
She explained his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a youth camp which he operated.
The defendant conducted a "sweet game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to ingest treats "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge the defendant had engaged in this activity with the children "over an extended period", and children had previously become sick the next day.
She stated the defendant had been able to explain this for many years as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had worries in recently.
The legal representative continued: "Recently" his stepson had suspicions about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They decided to examine in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC stated materials including baby oil, petroleum jelly and syringes were discovered, and his stepchild contacted the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She explained the man proceeded to engage in the "candy game" with six boys that evening - July 26th - and they were all ill the next day.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that time," she continued.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was examining the police response of the incident.
Mrs Prior explained the minors were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson contacted the police again.
She stated the man then engaged in the "treat game" in a room of five children.
