A man who spiked treats with tranquilliser and distributed them to children at a summer program in the region has admitted sexual offences against two children both between nine and ten.
The accused was detained after eight minors and a grown-up experienced illness at the location in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
However, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was facing, which was against a young boy.
The accused was remanded in custody prior to a additional proceeding on 28 November.
'Candy game'
The prosecutor, presenting evidence, detailed the defendant's actions to the legal proceedings.
She stated his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were staying at a summer camp which he operated.
Ruben played a "treat game" with the children, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and request they to eat sweets "rapidly".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had conducted this practice with the young males "over an extended period", and minors had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She stated the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had suspicions in recently.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "Recently" his stepchild had concerns about the situation, for good reason.
"They chose" to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor explained objects including lubricant, Vaseline and syringes were located, and his stepchild alerted the authorities about his suspicions.
She said the man went on to engage in the "candy game" with six children that evening - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the next day.
"The police had not arrived by that point," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was examining law enforcement's management of the events.
The prosecutor said the youngsters were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson contacted the law enforcement a second time.
She explained Ruben then played the "treat game" in a space of five youngsters.
