An individual who contaminated treats with sleeping medication and distributed them to youngsters at a youth camp in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two young males aged between nine and ten.
The defendant was detained after eight children and a grown-up fell ill at the facility in July.
The senior citizen, from that region, admitted guilt to a total of 17 charges when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
However, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was involving a young boy.
Ruben was remanded in custody ahead of a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
The prosecutor, presenting evidence, outlined the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She explained his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were participating in a youth camp which he ran.
The defendant engaged in a "candy game" with the children, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and request they to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge the defendant had engaged in this activity with the boys "for many years", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She stated the defendant had been capable of justifying this for many years as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepchild had worries in recently.
The legal representative stated further: "This year his stepson had worries about the activities, with valid cause.
"They chose" to have a look in the individual's items."
Mrs Prior KC explained objects including infant oil, ointment and injection devices were located, and his stepson alerted the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She explained Ruben continued to play the "sweet game" with six boys that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the next day.
"The police had not responded by that point," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.
The legal representative stated the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so the stepson notified the law enforcement once more.
She stated the man then conducted the "candy game" in a space of five youngsters.
