A man who laced treats with sleeping medication and provided them to children at a summer program in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two boys both nine and 10.
The defendant was detained after eight children and an older person fell ill at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.
The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at the judicial center on the end of the week.
Yet, he disputed a single sexual charge he was facing, which was against a young boy.
The defendant was held in detention before a further hearing on late November.
'Candy game'
The prosecutor, prosecuting, detailed Ruben's offending to the court.
She explained his those affected were under-privileged children who were staying at a summer program which he managed.
Ruben played a "sweet game" with the children, Mrs Prior said, in which he would go into the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She informed the proceedings the defendant had conducted this practice with the young males "for many years", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She explained Ruben had been able to explain this for many years as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had suspicions in recently.
The prosecutor added: "Recently" his family member had concerns about the activities, with valid cause.
"They decided to examine in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC stated materials including lubricant, petroleum jelly and injection devices were discovered, and his stepchild notified the authorities about his worries.
She explained the defendant went on to engage in the "candy game" with six youngsters that night - that Saturday - and they were all ill the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that point," she added.
The regulatory agency, the police conduct office, previously told that it was examining Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.
Mrs Prior explained the minors were struggling to walk due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson called the authorities a second time.
She said the man then played the "treat game" in a room of five children.
