An individual who contaminated candy with sleeping medication and gave them to minors at a youth camp in the region has confessed to sexual crimes against two boys who were nine and 10.
The accused was detained after eight children and a grown-up became sick at the facility in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
However, he refused to admit one particular crime he was facing, which was against a young boy.
The accused was remanded in custody ahead of a additional proceeding on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
The prosecutor, handling the case, detailed the criminal behavior to the court.
She stated his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were participating in a summer program which he managed.
Ruben played a "candy game" with the minors, Mrs Prior said, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge the defendant had conducted this practice with the children "for many years", and children had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She said Ruben had been able to explain this repeatedly as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had worries in recently.
The prosecutor continued: "In the summer" his stepchild had concerns about the activities, for good reason.
"They decided to examine in the man's possessions."
The prosecutor explained items including lubricant, ointment and injection devices were discovered, and his stepson alerted the authorities about his worries.
She said the defendant went on to conduct the "candy game" with six youngsters that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the following morning.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that point," she added.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, previously told that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.
The legal representative said the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so the family member called the authorities once more.
She said the defendant then played the "sweet game" in a room of five minors.
