A person who spiked treats with sleeping medication and provided them to youngsters at a summer camp in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two boys both between nine and ten.
The defendant was arrested after eight minors and one adult experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in July.
The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
However, he denied one particular crime he was facing, which was involving a young boy.
The defendant was remanded in custody prior to a subsequent court date on late November.
'Candy game'
The legal representative, handling the case, described the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She explained his victims were under-privileged children who were participating in a summer camp which he managed.
The man engaged in a "sweet game" with the children, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She told the court Ruben had played this game with the boys "over an extended period", and minors had previously fallen ill the next day.
She said the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had concerns in recently.
The legal representative stated further: "Recently" his family member had suspicions about the activities, with valid cause.
"They decided to investigate in the individual's items."
Mrs Prior KC explained items including infant oil, ointment and injection devices were discovered, and his stepson alerted the law enforcement about his worries.
She said Ruben continued to conduct the "treat game" with six youngsters that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that point," she added.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was examining law enforcement's management of the situation.
The prosecutor explained the youngsters were struggling to walk due to being ill, so the stepson contacted the authorities a second time.
She stated the man then engaged in the "candy game" in a area of five children.
