An individual who laced candy with sleeping medication and provided them to youngsters at a summer camp in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two young males who were between nine and ten.
The accused was taken into custody after eight youngsters and one adult fell ill at the location in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at the judicial center on Friday.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit one particular crime he was facing, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
The accused was kept in jail prior to a further hearing on late November.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, presenting evidence, outlined the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She said his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a summer program which he managed.
Ruben played a "treat game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor explained, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had engaged in this activity with the children "over an extended period", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She stated the defendant had been capable of justifying this for many years as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had concerns in recently.
Mrs Prior KC added: "This year his stepchild had concerns about the activities, for good reason.
"They chose" to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC explained materials including infant oil, ointment and syringes were discovered, and his stepson alerted the authorities about his worries.
She said the man proceeded to conduct the "treat game" with six youngsters that night - July 26th - and they were everyone unwell the next day.
"Authorities" had not responded by that time," she added.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was examining Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
The prosecutor said the minors were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so the family member called the law enforcement a second time.
She said the man then played the "treat game" in a room of five youngsters.
