A man who spiked sweets with tranquilliser and gave them to children at a youth camp in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two children both between nine and ten.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight minors and one adult became sick at the location in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he stood at the judicial center on Friday.
Yet, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was held in detention prior to a additional proceeding on late November.
'Candy game'
The legal representative, presenting evidence, detailed the defendant's actions to the court.
She explained his targets were under-privileged children who were attending a summer program which he ran.
Ruben played a "sweet game" with the minors, the legal counsel said, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to ingest treats "as fast as possible".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had engaged in this activity with the boys "over an extended period", and minors had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She stated the defendant had been able to explain this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had suspicions in recently.
The prosecutor continued: "This year his stepson had suspicions about the activities, justifiably.
"They decided to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel explained materials including baby oil, petroleum jelly and medical needles were discovered, and his stepson alerted the law enforcement about his worries.
She said the man went on to conduct the "candy game" with six children that evening - that Saturday - and they were all sick the next day.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that point," she added.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, previously told that it was examining Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
The prosecutor stated the youngsters were struggling to walk due to being ill, so the stepson contacted the law enforcement a second time.
She explained the defendant then played the "treat game" in a area of five minors.
