A man who laced candy with sedative and distributed them to youngsters at a summer camp in Leicestershire has admitted sexual crimes against two children who were nine and 10.
The accused was detained after eight minors and a grown-up fell ill at the location in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at the judicial center on recently.
Yet, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was concerning a young boy.
The defendant was kept in jail prior to a further hearing on 28 November.
'Candy game'
The legal representative, prosecuting, described the defendant's actions to the court.
She explained his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were staying at a summer program which he managed.
The defendant played a "candy game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel explained, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were settling down and ask them to ingest treats "rapidly".
She told the court the defendant had conducted this practice with the boys "over an extended period", and children had previously become sick the following morning.
She said Ruben had been capable of justifying this for many years as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had concerns in recently.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "This year his stepchild had concerns about the situation, with valid cause.
"They resolved" to have a look in the individual's items."
Mrs Prior KC said items including infant oil, ointment and medical needles were found, and his stepson alerted the law enforcement about his concerns.
She said the man proceeded to play the "sweet game" with six youngsters that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that point," she stated further.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the events.
The legal representative explained the minors were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so the family member contacted the authorities a second time.
She explained the man then conducted the "treat game" in a space of five children.
