A person who laced candy with sedative and provided them to minors at a youth camp in Leicestershire has admitted sexual offences against two young males aged between nine and ten.
The defendant was detained after eight children and an older person fell ill at the location in July.
The senior citizen, from that region, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at the judicial center on recently.
However, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was facing, which was against a young boy.
The accused was remanded in custody before a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, detailed Ruben's offending to the court.
She stated his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a summer program which he operated.
The man conducted a "sweet game" with the minors, the legal counsel said, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to ingest treats "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge the man had played this game with the boys "repeatedly", and minors had previously become sick the following morning.
She explained the man had been capable of justifying this for many years as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had suspicions in recently.
The legal representative stated further: "In the summer" his stepson had concerns about the situation, with valid cause.
"They resolved" to examine in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC explained objects including lubricant, petroleum jelly and injection devices were located, and his family member notified the police about his suspicions.
She stated Ruben continued to conduct the "treat game" with six boys that evening - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell 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 prosecutor explained the children were struggling to walk due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson notified the police again.
She said the defendant then conducted the "sweet game" in a space of five children.
