An individual who laced candy with tranquilliser and provided them to children at a youth camp in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual crimes against two boys aged nine and ten years old.
The accused was detained after eight children and a grown-up became sick at the facility in the summer month.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he was present at the courthouse on the end of the week.
However, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was involving a young boy.
The accused was held in detention before a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Treat game'
The prosecutor, prosecuting, detailed the defendant's actions to the court.
She stated his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were staying at a youth camp which he managed.
The defendant played a "candy game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor explained, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were settling down and tell them to ingest treats "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge Ruben had engaged in this activity with the children "for many years", and children had previously become sick the following morning.
She explained the man had been able to explain this repeatedly as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had suspicions in recently.
The prosecutor continued: "In the summer" his stepson had concerns about the activities, with valid cause.
"They chose" to examine in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel said materials including infant oil, ointment and syringes were found, and his stepson notified the police about his suspicions.
She explained Ruben went on to engage in the "sweet game" with six boys that night - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the next day.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that point," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was examining the police response of the incident.
The prosecutor said the minors were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so the stepson called the police again.
She stated the defendant then played the "candy game" in a area of five youngsters.
