A man who laced treats with tranquilliser and gave them to children at a summer camp in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two young males aged nine and ten years old.
The accused was taken into custody after eight minors and one adult experienced illness at the facility in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a total of 17 charges when he stood at the courthouse on Friday.
Yet, he refused to admit one particular crime he was accused of, which was against a nine-year-old child.
The accused was held in detention before a subsequent court date on November 28th.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, described the criminal behavior to the judicial body.
She said his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a youth camp which he operated.
The defendant played a "candy game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were getting ready for bed and request they to eat sweets "rapidly".
She told the court Ruben had conducted this practice with the young males "repeatedly", and minors had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She explained the man had been able to explain this for many years as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had worries in recently.
The prosecutor added: "In the summer" his family member had worries about what was going on, justifiably.
"They chose" to investigate in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel said objects including infant oil, petroleum jelly and medical needles were discovered, and his stepson alerted the authorities about his concerns.
She stated the man proceeded to play the "candy game" with six children that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the following morning.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that point," she added.
The oversight body, the police conduct office, had stated that it was examining Leicestershire Police's handling of the events.
The legal representative stated the minors were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so the stepson notified the law enforcement a second time.
She explained the man then engaged in the "sweet game" in a room of five minors.
