An individual who spiked sweets with sleeping medication and gave them to minors at a summer program in the area has admitted sexual offenses against two young males both between nine and ten.
The defendant was detained after eight youngsters and one adult became sick at the location in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from that region, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he stood at the courthouse on the end of the week.
However, he denied a single sexual charge he was facing, which was concerning a young boy.
The accused was held in detention ahead of a further hearing on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
The legal representative, presenting evidence, described Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She said his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a youth camp which he operated.
The man conducted a "treat game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior said, in which he would go into the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She told the court the defendant had conducted this practice with the young males "over an extended period", and minors had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She stated the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had concerns in recently.
Mrs Prior KC added: "This year his family member had concerns about the activities, with valid cause.
"They decided to have a look in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC stated items including infant oil, Vaseline and medical needles were found, and his family member contacted the police about his worries.
She explained Ruben proceeded to play the "candy game" with six youngsters that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the next day.
"The police had not responded by that stage," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was examining Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.
The prosecutor said the children were struggling to walk due to their condition, so the family member contacted the authorities again.
She explained Ruben then conducted the "candy game" in a area of five children.
