A man who contaminated sweets with sedative and gave them to minors at a youth camp in the region has admitted sexual crimes against two young males who were nine and 10.
The accused was taken into custody after eight children and an older person fell ill at Stathern Lodge in July.
The elderly man, from that region, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
Nevertheless, he denied a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was involving a young boy.
The defendant was remanded in custody before a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Candy game'
The legal representative, presenting evidence, described the criminal behavior to the judicial body.
She stated his victims were under-privileged children who were staying at a summer camp which he operated.
Ruben conducted a "treat game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel explained, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge the defendant had conducted this practice with the children "for many years", and children had previously become sick the following morning.
She explained the man had been capable of justifying this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had suspicions in recently.
Mrs Prior KC added: "This year his family member had concerns about the situation, justifiably.
"They resolved" to examine in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel stated materials including baby oil, Vaseline and injection devices were discovered, and his stepson notified the police about his concerns.
She stated the defendant continued to engage in the "candy game" with six children that night - that Saturday - and they were all ill the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that point," she continued.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was examining law enforcement's management of the incident.
The legal representative said the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson notified the police once more.
She explained the defendant then played the "sweet game" in a room of five children.
