An individual who laced treats with tranquilliser and distributed them to youngsters at a youth 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 children and an older person fell ill at the facility in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at the courthouse on Friday.
Nevertheless, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was involving a young boy.
Ruben was remanded in custody ahead of a further hearing on November 28th.
'Sweet game'
The prosecutor, presenting evidence, outlined the defendant's actions to the legal proceedings.
She explained his targets were under-privileged children who were participating in a summer program which he ran.
The defendant engaged in a "sweet game" with the minors, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and request they to ingest treats "as fast as possible".
She told the court the defendant had conducted this practice with the boys "for many years", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She stated the defendant had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had suspicions in recently.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "In the summer" his stepchild had concerns about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They decided to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor stated items including baby oil, Vaseline and syringes were located, and his stepchild contacted the law enforcement about his concerns.
She said the defendant continued to conduct the "candy game" with six boys that time - July 26th - and they were all ill the next day.
"The police had not responded by that stage," she continued.
The oversight body, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the events.
The prosecutor said the youngsters were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson notified the police a second time.
She stated the man then engaged in the "candy game" in a area of five children.
