An individual who spiked treats with sedative and provided them to youngsters at a summer camp in Leicestershire has admitted sexual offences against two young males aged nine and ten years old.
The accused was taken into custody after eight youngsters and one adult became sick at the facility in the summer month.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at the courthouse on Friday.
Nevertheless, he denied one particular crime he was accused of, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was kept in jail ahead of a further hearing on late November.
'Treat game'
The prosecutor, handling the case, described the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She explained his those affected were disadvantaged youngsters who were participating in a summer camp which he ran.
Ruben engaged in a "treat game" with the children, the legal counsel explained, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She told the court the man had conducted this practice with the boys "over an extended period", and children had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She said the defendant had been capable of justifying this repeatedly as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had concerns in recently.
The legal representative continued: "In the summer" his stepson had concerns about the situation, for good reason.
"They resolved" to investigate in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel stated items including infant oil, ointment and syringes were discovered, and his stepson alerted the authorities about his concerns.
She explained Ruben proceeded to engage in the "treat game" with six youngsters that evening - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the next day.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that point," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, previously told that it was examining the police response of the incident.
The legal representative stated the minors were struggling to walk due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson notified the law enforcement again.
She said the defendant then played the "sweet game" in a area of five minors.
