An individual who laced candy with sedative and distributed them to minors at a summer program in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two children who were nine and 10.
The accused was detained after eight minors and an older person fell ill at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he stood at the judicial center on Friday.
However, he disputed one particular crime he was accused of, which was against a nine-year-old boy.
Ruben was kept in jail prior to a further hearing on late November.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, described Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She explained his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a summer camp which he operated.
The defendant conducted a "treat game" with the children, the prosecutor said, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to ingest treats "as fast as possible".
She informed the proceedings the man had played this game with the boys "for many years", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She stated Ruben had been able to explain this repeatedly as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had worries in recently.
The prosecutor stated further: "This year his stepson had worries about what was going on, for good reason.
"They resolved" to examine in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel said items including infant oil, Vaseline and syringes were located, and his stepchild alerted the police about his concerns.
She said the man went on to conduct the "candy game" with six youngsters that night - July 26th - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that stage," she added.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was investigating the police response of the events.
The prosecutor stated the children were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so the stepson contacted the authorities again.
She said the defendant then engaged in the "sweet game" in a space of five children.
