An individual who contaminated candy with sedative and provided them to children at a youth camp in Leicestershire has admitted sexual offenses against two boys both between nine and ten.
The defendant was detained after eight youngsters and an older person experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he was present at the judicial center on Friday.
However, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was against a young boy.
The defendant was remanded in custody before a additional proceeding on late November.
'Treat game'
The prosecutor, handling the case, described the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She said his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were participating in a summer program which he operated.
The man conducted a "candy game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior said, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge the man had conducted this practice with the children "repeatedly", and youngsters had previously become sick the following morning.
She said the defendant had been capable of justifying this repeatedly as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepchild had worries in recently.
The prosecutor continued: "In the summer" his stepchild had concerns about the activities, for good reason.
"They decided to examine in the man's possessions."
The prosecutor explained objects including lubricant, Vaseline and medical needles were found, and his family member alerted the law enforcement about his worries.
She explained Ruben proceeded to conduct the "candy game" with six youngsters that night - that Saturday - and they were all ill the next day.
"The police had not gone out by that point," she added.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was examining law enforcement's management of the situation.
The prosecutor stated the youngsters were struggling to walk due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson called the police again.
She said the defendant then engaged in the "sweet game" in a space of five children.
