An individual who spiked treats with sedative and distributed them to minors at a youth camp in the area has confessed to sexual crimes against two children aged nine and 10.
The accused was detained after eight minors and one adult experienced illness at the facility in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was facing, which was concerning a young boy.
Ruben was held in detention ahead of a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, presenting evidence, outlined Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She stated his those affected were disadvantaged youngsters who were participating in a youth camp which he ran.
Ruben played a "sweet game" with the minors, the prosecutor explained, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She told the court the man had engaged in this activity with the children "repeatedly", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the next day.
She said the defendant had been able to explain this over a long period as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had suspicions in recently.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "This year his family member had concerns about the situation, for good reason.
"They resolved" to investigate in the man's possessions."
The prosecutor said objects including lubricant, ointment and medical needles were discovered, and his stepchild notified the police about his concerns.
She said the man proceeded to play the "candy game" with six boys that evening - July 26th - and they were all ill the next day.
"The police had not responded by that stage," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was examining Leicestershire Police's handling of the events.
Mrs Prior explained the children were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so the stepson called the authorities once more.
She explained Ruben then engaged in the "treat game" in a room of five children.
