A man who spiked sweets with sedative and gave them to youngsters at a summer camp in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two young males who were between nine and ten.
The accused was taken into custody after eight youngsters and one adult experienced illness at the location in July.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he was present at the courthouse on the end of the week.
Nevertheless, he denied one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was held in detention before a subsequent court date on November 28th.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, described the defendant's actions to the court.
She stated his those affected were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a youth camp which he managed.
The defendant conducted a "sweet game" with the minors, the prosecutor said, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were settling down and ask them to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge the man had played this game with the young males "over an extended period", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She stated Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had worries in recently.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "Recently" his stepchild had suspicions about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They decided to examine in the individual's items."
Mrs Prior KC stated materials including baby oil, petroleum jelly and injection devices were discovered, and his stepson notified the law enforcement about his worries.
She explained the defendant proceeded to engage in the "sweet game" with six youngsters that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the next day.
"The police had not gone out by that stage," she added.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.
The legal representative said the minors were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so the stepson contacted the police once more.
She explained Ruben then conducted the "sweet game" in a room of five minors.
