A man who laced treats with tranquilliser and distributed them to children at a summer camp in the area has confessed to sexual offences against two children both nine and ten years old.
The accused was taken into custody after eight minors and an older person became sick at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he stood at the judicial center on Friday.
Yet, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was facing, which was concerning a young boy.
The defendant was remanded in custody prior to a additional proceeding on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
The prosecutor, prosecuting, described Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She said his victims were under-privileged children who were participating in a summer program which he operated.
The man played a "sweet game" with the minors, Mrs Prior said, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and request they to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".
She told the court the defendant had engaged in this activity with the children "for many years", and children had previously become sick the following morning.
She explained the defendant had been capable of justifying this for many years as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepchild had worries in recently.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "In the summer" his family member had concerns about the situation, justifiably.
"They decided to examine in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel explained objects including infant oil, petroleum jelly and medical needles were discovered, and his family member notified the authorities about his concerns.
She stated the man went on to engage in the "treat game" with six boys that night - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"The police had not gone out by that point," she added.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the events.
The legal representative explained the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson contacted the law enforcement again.
She said the man then conducted the "sweet game" in a room of five youngsters.
