An individual who spiked candy with sedative and gave them to youngsters at a summer program in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two children aged nine and 10.
The accused was detained after eight minors and an older person became sick at Stathern Lodge in July.
The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at the courthouse on Friday.
However, he denied one particular crime he was charged with, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was remanded in custody prior to a additional proceeding on November 28th.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, detailed the criminal behavior to the judicial body.
She stated his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a summer camp which he managed.
The man engaged in a "treat game" with the children, the prosecutor stated, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and ask them to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge Ruben had conducted this practice with the young males "over an extended period", and minors had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She explained the defendant had been capable of justifying this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had concerns in recently.
The prosecutor added: "This year his stepchild had suspicions about the activities, with valid cause.
"They decided to investigate in the individual's items."
The legal counsel stated items including baby oil, petroleum jelly and medical needles were found, and his stepchild contacted the authorities about his worries.
She explained the defendant proceeded to play the "sweet game" with six boys that time - that Saturday - and they were all sick the following morning.
"The police had not arrived by that point," she added.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the incident.
The legal representative stated the minors were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so the family member notified the police again.
She said Ruben then engaged in the "candy game" in a room of five youngsters.
