A person who contaminated candy with sleeping medication and provided them to youngsters at a summer camp in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual offences against two young males who were between nine and ten.
The accused was arrested after eight children and one adult fell ill at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The senior citizen, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he stood at the judicial center on the end of the week.
However, he disputed a single sexual charge he was facing, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was held in detention prior to a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Candy game'
The legal representative, presenting evidence, described the criminal behavior to the court.
She explained his victims were under-privileged children who were participating in a summer program which he ran.
Ruben conducted a "treat game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel said, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were settling down and request they to ingest treats "as fast as possible".
She informed the proceedings the man had played this game with the young males "for many years", and minors had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She said the man had been able to explain this over a long period as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had worries in recently.
The legal representative stated further: "Recently" his stepson had suspicions about the activities, with valid cause.
"They chose" to investigate in the individual's items."
The legal counsel said objects including infant oil, petroleum jelly and medical needles were located, and his stepson notified the authorities about his suspicions.
She said the man went on to conduct the "sweet game" with six youngsters that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that stage," she continued.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, had stated that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the events.
The legal representative stated the youngsters were struggling to walk due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson called the law enforcement once more.
She stated Ruben then conducted the "sweet game" in a room of five youngsters.
