A man who contaminated sweets with tranquilliser and distributed them to youngsters at a summer program in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two boys who were nine and 10.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight children and an older person became sick at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
Nevertheless, he denied a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was against a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was remanded in custody prior to a additional proceeding on 28 November.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, presenting evidence, detailed Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She explained his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a youth camp which he operated.
The defendant played a "candy game" with the minors, the prosecutor said, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and request they to consume candy "rapidly".
She informed the proceedings the man had played this game with the young males "over an extended period", and minors had previously become sick the following morning.
She stated the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had worries in recently.
The prosecutor added: "This year his family member had worries about what was going on, for good reason.
"They decided to examine in the individual's items."
The prosecutor said objects including infant oil, Vaseline and injection devices were found, and his stepson notified the authorities about his concerns.
She stated the defendant continued to play the "treat game" with six boys that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that time," she continued.
The oversight body, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the situation.
The legal representative explained the minors were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so the stepson called the police once more.
She said the defendant then conducted the "candy game" in a space of five minors.
