An individual who laced treats with tranquilliser and provided them to youngsters at a youth camp in the area has admitted sexual offences against two children aged nine and ten years old.
The defendant was arrested after eight children and one adult fell ill at the facility in July.
The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
However, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was facing, which was against a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was held in detention ahead of a further hearing on November 28th.
'Candy game'
The legal representative, handling the case, described Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She said his victims were under-privileged children who were attending a summer program which he managed.
The man played a "treat game" with the minors, the prosecutor explained, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were settling down and tell them to ingest treats "rapidly".
She informed the proceedings the man had conducted this practice with the children "over an extended period", and minors had previously become sick the subsequent day.
She stated Ruben had been capable of justifying this for many years as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had suspicions in recently.
The legal representative added: "In the summer" his stepchild had suspicions about the activities, for good reason.
"They chose" to examine in the individual's items."
The prosecutor stated items including infant oil, ointment and medical needles were located, and his stepchild contacted the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She explained the defendant continued to conduct the "sweet game" with six youngsters that night - that Saturday - and they were all sick the following morning.
"Authorities" had not responded by that stage," she added.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the situation.
The legal representative stated the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so the stepson called the law enforcement once more.
She said the defendant then played the "candy game" in a space of five minors.
