A man who laced candy with tranquilliser and gave them to children at a youth camp in Leicestershire has admitted sexual offences against two young males aged between nine and ten.
The accused was arrested after eight children and an older person experienced illness at the location in mid-summer.
The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at the courthouse on Friday.
However, he disputed a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was against a nine-year-old boy.
Ruben was held in detention ahead of a further hearing on 28 November.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, prosecuting, outlined the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She stated his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a summer program which he ran.
The defendant conducted a "sweet game" with the children, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and ask them to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge the man had conducted this practice with the children "over an extended period", and children had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She stated the defendant had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had concerns in recently.
Mrs Prior KC added: "In the summer" his family member had worries about the activities, with valid cause.
"They decided to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC explained objects including baby oil, petroleum jelly and medical needles were located, and his stepson contacted the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She said the defendant continued to conduct the "candy game" with six youngsters that time - July 26th - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"The police had not arrived by that point," she added.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, had stated that it was examining Leicestershire Police's handling of the events.
The legal representative explained the minors were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson contacted the authorities again.
She stated the man then engaged in the "treat game" in a room of five minors.
