An individual who laced treats with sedative and distributed them to minors at a summer camp in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual offences against two children aged nine and ten years old.
The accused was taken into custody after eight youngsters and a grown-up became sick at Stathern Lodge in July.
The senior citizen, from that region, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
Nevertheless, he denied one particular crime he was accused of, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was remanded in custody prior to a subsequent court date on late November.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, handling the case, outlined the criminal behavior to the judicial body.
She explained his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were staying at a summer camp which he operated.
Ruben conducted a "candy game" with the minors, the legal counsel explained, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She informed the proceedings the defendant had conducted this practice with the children "for many years", and minors had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She explained the man had been able to explain this repeatedly as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had suspicions in recently.
The legal representative continued: "Recently" his stepson had suspicions about what was going on, justifiably.
"They resolved" to have a look in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC explained objects including baby oil, Vaseline and syringes were discovered, and his stepchild alerted the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She said Ruben went on to conduct the "sweet game" with six children that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the following morning.
"Authorities" had not responded by that stage," she added.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was reviewing the police response of the incident.
The prosecutor explained the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so the stepson called the authorities once more.
She explained the man then engaged in the "candy game" in a area of five youngsters.
