A person who spiked treats with sedative and distributed them to youngsters at a summer program in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two young males both nine and 10.
The accused was detained after eight minors and an older person became sick at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at the courthouse on Friday.
However, he denied a single sexual charge he was facing, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
The accused was remanded in custody ahead of a further hearing on late November.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, outlined the defendant's actions to the court.
She stated his targets were under-privileged children who were staying at a summer program which he ran.
The man played a "sweet game" with the children, the legal counsel stated, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and tell them to consume candy "rapidly".
She told the court Ruben had engaged in this activity with the children "over an extended period", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She explained Ruben had been capable of justifying this for many years as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had worries in recently.
The legal representative continued: "In the summer" his stepson had concerns about the situation, justifiably.
"They decided to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor explained materials including lubricant, Vaseline and injection devices were discovered, and his stepson contacted the authorities about his suspicions.
She explained the defendant continued to play the "sweet game" with six youngsters that night - July 26th - and they were all ill the next day.
"The police had not gone out by that stage," she continued.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
The legal representative said the minors were struggling to walk due to their condition, so the stepson called the authorities once more.
She stated the defendant then played the "sweet game" in a room of five children.
