A man who contaminated candy with sedative and distributed them to minors at a summer program in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two children both nine and ten years old.
The accused was detained after eight children and a grown-up fell ill at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
However, he disputed one particular crime he was facing, which was against a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was remanded in custody before a further hearing on November 28th.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, presenting evidence, outlined Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She explained his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a youth camp which he operated.
The defendant engaged in a "sweet game" with the minors, the legal counsel said, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and request they to ingest treats "as fast as possible".
She informed the proceedings the defendant had conducted this practice with the boys "over an extended period", and children had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She stated the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had concerns in recently.
The legal representative added: "This year his stepson had concerns about what was going on, justifiably.
"They resolved" to have a look in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel said objects including lubricant, Vaseline and medical needles were found, and his family member alerted the authorities about his worries.
She stated the man went on to engage in the "candy game" with six children that night - July 26th - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that point," she stated further.
The oversight body, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was examining law enforcement's management of the events.
Mrs Prior said the minors were struggling to walk due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson notified the authorities once more.
She explained Ruben then played the "candy game" in a space of five youngsters.
