An individual who contaminated candy with sleeping medication and gave them to youngsters at a summer camp in the area has admitted sexual offences against two children both nine and ten years old.
The defendant was arrested after eight children and one adult experienced illness at the location in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from that region, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
However, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was remanded in custody ahead of a subsequent court date on November 28th.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, outlined the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She said his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a summer camp which he managed.
The defendant played a "treat game" with the minors, Mrs Prior said, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and request they to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She told the court the defendant had conducted this practice with the children "over an extended period", and minors had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She explained Ruben had been able to explain this repeatedly as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had worries in recently.
Mrs Prior KC added: "This year his stepchild had suspicions about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They decided to have a look in the man's possessions."
The prosecutor stated objects including lubricant, petroleum jelly and injection devices were found, and his stepson contacted the authorities about his suspicions.
She said the defendant continued to conduct the "candy game" with six boys that time - July 26th - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.
"Authorities" had not responded by that stage," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the events.
The prosecutor stated the youngsters were struggling to walk due to being ill, so the stepson contacted the police once more.
She said Ruben then played the "candy game" in a area of five minors.
