A man who spiked sweets with tranquilliser and gave them to youngsters at a summer camp in the area has confessed to sexual offences against two children aged between nine and ten.
The defendant was detained after eight children and an older person experienced illness at the location in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
However, he disputed one particular crime he was accused of, which was concerning a young boy.
Ruben was remanded in custody ahead of a further hearing on late November.
'Sweet game'
The prosecutor, handling the case, outlined Ruben's offending to the court.
She stated his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a youth camp which he managed.
Ruben conducted a "treat game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were getting ready for bed and request they to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She told the court Ruben had conducted this practice with the young males "for many years", and minors had previously become sick the subsequent day.
She stated the man had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had suspicions in recently.
The prosecutor continued: "This year his family member had worries about the situation, with valid cause.
"They chose" to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor stated items including baby oil, ointment and syringes were discovered, and his stepson notified the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She stated Ruben went on to play the "treat game" with six youngsters that night - that Saturday - and they were all ill the following morning.
"The police had not responded by that time," she added.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the events.
The legal representative said the minors were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson contacted the police a second time.
She explained the man then engaged in the "candy game" in a space of five youngsters.
