A man who contaminated candy with tranquilliser and distributed them to minors at a youth camp in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two children who were nine and ten years old.
The defendant was arrested after eight youngsters 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 appeared at the courthouse on the end of the week.
Yet, he denied one particular crime he was facing, which was against a nine-year-old boy.
The defendant was remanded in custody before a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
The prosecutor, prosecuting, described Ruben's offending to the court.
She explained his those affected were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a summer camp which he managed.
Ruben conducted a "treat game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had conducted this practice with the boys "for many years", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She stated Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had suspicions in recently.
The prosecutor continued: "In the summer" his stepson had worries about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They chose" to have a look in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC said items including lubricant, petroleum jelly and injection devices were found, and his stepchild alerted the police about his worries.
She said the defendant went on to play the "treat game" with six children that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that time," she continued.
The oversight body, the police conduct office, previously told that it was examining law enforcement's management of the situation.
Mrs Prior explained the youngsters were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson notified the authorities once more.
She stated Ruben then conducted the "candy game" in a room of five children.
