A man who spiked treats with sleeping medication and gave them to children at a summer program in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two boys both nine and 10.
The accused was detained after eight children and one adult became sick at the location in July.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
Yet, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was facing, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was held in detention ahead of a further hearing on late November.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, handling the case, detailed Ruben's offending to the court.
She explained his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a youth camp which he operated.
The man conducted a "sweet game" with the children, the legal counsel explained, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and tell them to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge Ruben had engaged in this activity with the boys "for many years", and minors had previously fallen ill the next day.
She stated the defendant had been capable of justifying this for many years as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had worries in recently.
The prosecutor added: "Recently" his stepson had worries about the situation, justifiably.
"They resolved" to have a look in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC explained items including lubricant, Vaseline and injection devices were found, and his stepson contacted the authorities about his concerns.
She explained the man continued to play the "sweet game" with six boys that evening - that Saturday - and they were all ill the subsequent day.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that stage," she added.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, previously told that it was examining Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.
Mrs Prior said the children were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson contacted the law enforcement a second time.
She explained the man then engaged in the "sweet game" in a space of five children.
