A man who contaminated sweets with sedative and distributed them to children at a youth camp in the area has admitted sexual offences against two children aged nine and 10.
The accused was arrested after eight youngsters and one adult experienced illness at the location in July.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he was present at the judicial center on Friday.
Nevertheless, he disputed a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was against a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was held in detention before a additional proceeding on late November.
'Sweet game'
The legal representative, presenting evidence, detailed the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She stated his targets were under-privileged children who were participating in a summer camp which he ran.
Ruben played a "sweet game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel stated, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were settling down and request they to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge the defendant had played this game with the children "for many years", and children had previously fallen ill the next day.
She said the defendant had been able to explain this over a long period as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had concerns in recently.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "This year his stepchild had suspicions about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They resolved" to investigate in the individual's items."
The legal counsel stated objects including infant oil, ointment and syringes were found, and his stepson alerted the authorities about his suspicions.
She stated the man proceeded to play the "treat game" with six children that night - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the next day.
"The police had not arrived by that time," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, had stated that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the events.
The prosecutor stated the minors were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson notified the law enforcement a second time.
She stated the defendant then played the "sweet game" in a area of five youngsters.
