An individual who contaminated candy with sleeping medication and distributed them to youngsters at a youth camp in the area has admitted sexual offenses against two boys both nine and 10.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight minors and a grown-up became sick at Stathern Lodge in July.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he was present at the courthouse on recently.
However, he disputed a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
The defendant was remanded in custody before a further hearing on November 28th.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, prosecuting, outlined the criminal behavior to the judicial body.
She stated his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a summer camp which he managed.
The man conducted a "candy game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel said, in which he would go into the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and tell them to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had engaged in this activity with the boys "over an extended period", and youngsters had previously become sick the subsequent day.
She explained Ruben had been able to explain this for many years as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had concerns in recently.
The legal representative added: "In the summer" his stepson had worries about the situation, justifiably.
"They decided to examine in the individual's items."
The legal counsel stated items including lubricant, ointment and syringes were found, and his stepson contacted the authorities about his worries.
She explained Ruben went on to conduct the "treat game" with six boys that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the next day.
"The police had not gone out by that time," she added.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the events.
The prosecutor stated the youngsters were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson notified the law enforcement a second time.
She stated Ruben then engaged in the "candy game" in a space of five children.
