A person who laced sweets with sedative and provided them to minors at a summer camp in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two boys both between nine and ten.
The defendant was arrested after eight youngsters and an older person became sick at the location in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, admitted guilt to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
However, he disputed a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was held in detention before a additional proceeding on 28 November.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, prosecuting, described the defendant's actions to the legal proceedings.
She stated his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a summer camp which he ran.
Ruben played a "treat game" with the children, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to ingest treats "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge the man had conducted this practice with the boys "over an extended period", and youngsters had previously become sick the next day.
She stated the man had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had worries in recently.
The legal representative stated further: "This year his family member had worries about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They chose" to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC explained objects including infant oil, Vaseline and syringes were found, and his family member alerted the authorities about his concerns.
She said Ruben proceeded to conduct the "sweet game" with six children that night - July 26th - and they were all ill the next day.
"Authorities" had not responded by that time," she continued.
The police watchdog, the police conduct office, had stated that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the situation.
The prosecutor stated the minors were struggling to walk due to their condition, so the family member called the authorities a second time.
She explained Ruben then conducted the "treat game" in a room of five children.
