A person who spiked sweets with sleeping medication and gave them to children at a summer camp in the area has admitted sexual offenses against two young males both nine and ten years old.
The accused was arrested after eight youngsters and an older person became sick at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from that region, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit one particular crime he was facing, which was against a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was remanded in custody ahead of a further hearing on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
The prosecutor, prosecuting, outlined the criminal behavior to the court.
She stated his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a youth camp which he managed.
The man played a "treat game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and request they to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had conducted this practice with the boys "over an extended period", and youngsters had previously become sick the next day.
She stated the defendant had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had suspicions in recently.
The prosecutor continued: "In the summer" his family member had concerns about what was going on, for good reason.
"They decided to investigate in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel explained materials including baby oil, petroleum jelly and medical needles were discovered, and his stepchild notified the authorities about his concerns.
She explained Ruben went on to conduct the "sweet game" with six boys that night - that Saturday - and they were all ill the subsequent day.
"Authorities" had not responded by that stage," she continued.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
The prosecutor said the children were struggling to walk due to being ill, so the stepson contacted the police once more.
She explained the man then conducted the "candy game" in a room of five youngsters.
