A man who contaminated treats with sleeping medication and provided them to minors at a summer program in the region has confessed to sexual crimes against two young males who were nine and ten years old.
The accused was taken into custody after eight minors and one adult fell ill at the facility in July.
The 76-year-old, from that region, admitted guilt to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit one particular crime he was accused of, which was against a young boy.
The defendant was held in detention ahead of a subsequent court date on late November.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, described Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She stated his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were staying at a summer camp which he ran.
The man conducted a "sweet game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor stated, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and request they to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She told the court the defendant had conducted this practice with the boys "for many years", and children had previously become sick the next day.
She explained Ruben had been capable of justifying this repeatedly as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had concerns in recently.
The legal representative added: "This year his stepson had concerns about the activities, justifiably.
"They chose" to have a look in the individual's items."
Mrs Prior KC explained objects including lubricant, petroleum jelly and medical needles were found, and his stepchild contacted the police about his worries.
She stated Ruben proceeded to conduct the "treat game" with six children that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the next day.
"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that time," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the events.
Mrs Prior said the youngsters were struggling to walk due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson contacted the authorities again.
She said the man then conducted the "candy game" in a room of five youngsters.
