A man who laced treats with sleeping medication and provided them to children at a youth camp in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two children both nine and 10.
The defendant was detained after eight children and a grown-up became sick at the location in July.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit one particular crime he was accused of, which was against a nine-year-old boy.
The defendant was remanded in custody before a further hearing on 28 November.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, described the defendant's actions to the court.
She stated his targets were under-privileged children who were participating in a summer program which he ran.
The man engaged in a "sweet game" with the minors, the legal counsel stated, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to ingest treats "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge the man had engaged in this activity with the young males "for many years", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She said Ruben had been capable of justifying this for many years as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had worries in summer 2025.
The prosecutor continued: "In the summer" his stepson had worries about the activities, with valid cause.
"They chose" to have a look in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC said objects including infant oil, petroleum jelly and syringes were discovered, and his stepchild alerted the authorities about his suspicions.
She stated the defendant continued to conduct the "candy game" with six children that night - that Saturday - and they were all sick the following morning.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that stage," she continued.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, had stated that it was reviewing the police response of the situation.
Mrs Prior explained the minors were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so the family member notified the authorities a second time.
She stated the defendant then played the "sweet game" in a room of five children.
