A man who spiked treats with sleeping medication and gave them to children at a youth camp in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual offenses against two boys aged nine and ten years old.
The accused was arrested after eight youngsters and a grown-up experienced illness at the facility in mid-summer.
The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he stood at the judicial center on recently.
Nevertheless, he disputed a single sexual charge he was facing, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was held in detention prior to a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Treat game'
The prosecutor, presenting evidence, described Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She said his those affected were disadvantaged youngsters who were staying at a youth camp which he managed.
Ruben played a "candy game" with the minors, the legal counsel stated, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were settling down and tell them to eat sweets "rapidly".
She stated to the judge the defendant had engaged in this activity with the young males "for many years", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She stated the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepchild had suspicions in recently.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "This year his stepchild had suspicions about the activities, justifiably.
"They decided to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel explained materials including baby oil, ointment and injection devices were found, and his family member contacted the law enforcement about his concerns.
She stated the defendant went on to play the "sweet game" with six children that night - that Saturday - and they were all ill the subsequent day.
"The police had not gone out by that point," she continued.
The regulatory agency, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was examining the police response of the situation.
Mrs Prior said the children were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so the stepson notified the law enforcement again.
She stated the man then engaged in the "candy game" in a space of five youngsters.