An individual who laced treats with sleeping medication and gave them to youngsters at a summer program in the region has confessed to sexual offences against two boys both nine and 10.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight children and an older person experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.
The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a total of 17 charges when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
Yet, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was against a nine-year-old boy.
The defendant was kept in jail prior to a additional proceeding on late November.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, detailed the defendant's actions to the court.
She explained his those affected were under-privileged children who were participating in a youth camp which he ran.
The defendant conducted a "candy game" with the minors, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge the man had engaged in this activity with the children "repeatedly", and children had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She said the man had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepchild had worries in recently.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "In the summer" his stepchild had suspicions about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They resolved" to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC explained objects including baby oil, ointment and medical needles were located, and his family member alerted the authorities about his worries.
She stated Ruben continued to engage in the "treat game" with six youngsters that night - July 26th - and they were all ill the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that stage," she added.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was reviewing the police response of the events.
Mrs Prior stated the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so the family member called the police again.
She explained Ruben then engaged in the "treat game" in a space of five minors.
