A person who spiked sweets with tranquilliser and gave them to youngsters at a summer camp in the region has confessed to sexual crimes against two young males who were nine and 10.
The accused was detained after eight minors and an older person fell ill at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
Yet, he denied one particular crime he was facing, which was concerning a young boy.
The accused was held in detention before a additional proceeding on 28 November.
'Treat game'
The prosecutor, presenting evidence, detailed the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She explained his victims were under-privileged children who were staying at a summer program which he ran.
The defendant played a "treat game" with the children, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were settling down and request they to eat sweets "rapidly".
She informed the proceedings the man had engaged in this activity with the children "over an extended period", and minors had previously become sick the subsequent day.
She explained Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had suspicions in recently.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "In the summer" his family member had worries about what was going on, justifiably.
"They chose" to investigate in the individual's items."
The legal counsel stated items including infant oil, Vaseline and syringes were located, and his stepchild contacted the authorities about his concerns.
She explained the defendant proceeded to play the "treat game" with six youngsters that night - that Saturday - and they were all ill the following morning.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that stage," she added.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the incident.
Mrs Prior explained the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so the stepson contacted the authorities once more.
She said the defendant then played the "candy game" in a area of five youngsters.
