A man who contaminated sweets with sedative and gave them to minors at a youth camp in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two boys both nine and ten years old.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight minors and one adult fell ill at Stathern Lodge in July.
The 76-year-old, from that region, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at the courthouse on recently.
Nevertheless, he denied a single sexual charge he was facing, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
The defendant was held in detention before a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Candy game'
The prosecutor, presenting evidence, detailed Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She explained his targets were under-privileged children who were participating in a summer camp which he managed.
The defendant played a "treat game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and request they to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She told the court the defendant had conducted this practice with the young males "over an extended period", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She stated the defendant had been capable of justifying this for many years as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had suspicions in recently.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "This year his stepchild had concerns about the situation, justifiably.
"They decided to investigate in the individual's items."
The legal counsel stated materials including infant oil, ointment and syringes were found, and his stepchild notified the law enforcement about his concerns.
She said the man proceeded to play the "treat game" with six children that time - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that stage," she stated further.
The oversight body, the police conduct office, had stated that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the situation.
Mrs Prior said the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so the family member contacted the law enforcement once more.
She said the man then engaged in the "sweet game" in a space of five youngsters.
