A man who laced treats with tranquilliser and gave them to children at a summer program in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual crimes against two children who were between nine and ten.
The defendant was detained after eight youngsters and a grown-up experienced illness at the facility in the summer month.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, admitted guilt to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
However, he disputed one particular crime he was facing, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
The accused was remanded in custody before a additional proceeding on late November.
'Candy game'
The prosecutor, prosecuting, detailed the defendant's actions to the court.
She said his targets were under-privileged children who were staying at a youth camp which he operated.
The man played a "treat game" with the minors, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to ingest treats "rapidly".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had conducted this practice with the boys "repeatedly", and minors had previously become sick the subsequent day.
She said the man had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had suspicions in recently.
The legal representative stated further: "Recently" his stepson had worries about the activities, for good reason.
"They decided to examine in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel stated materials including infant oil, Vaseline and medical needles were discovered, and his family member alerted the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She stated the man proceeded to engage in the "candy game" with six boys that evening - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that time," she continued.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, previously told that it was examining the police response of the situation.
Mrs Prior said the children were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so the stepson called the police a second time.
She stated the man then conducted the "sweet game" in a area of five minors.
