A person who laced candy with tranquilliser and provided them to minors at a youth camp in the region has confessed to sexual crimes against two boys both nine and 10.
The accused was taken into custody after eight children and a grown-up experienced illness at the facility in July.
The elderly man, from that region, admitted guilt to a total of 17 charges when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
However, he denied one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was against a young boy.
The defendant was kept in jail ahead of a further hearing on 28 November.
'Candy game'
The prosecutor, prosecuting, described the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She stated his victims were under-privileged children who were participating in a summer program which he managed.
The defendant conducted a "treat game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor stated, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to eat sweets "rapidly".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had engaged in this activity with the boys "repeatedly", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She said the defendant had been capable of justifying this for many years as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepchild had suspicions in recently.
The legal representative continued: "This year his stepchild had concerns about what was going on, justifiably.
"They decided to examine in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor said objects including baby oil, petroleum jelly and medical needles were discovered, and his stepson notified the law enforcement about his worries.
She explained the defendant proceeded to play the "sweet game" with six youngsters that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that stage," she added.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, had stated that it was investigating the police response of the situation.
The legal representative stated the youngsters were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson contacted the police once more.
She said Ruben then conducted the "candy game" in a space of five minors.
