A man who contaminated sweets with sedative and provided them to minors at a youth camp in Leicestershire has admitted sexual crimes against two boys who were between nine and ten.
The defendant was detained after eight minors and an older person became sick at Stathern Lodge in July.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
Nevertheless, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was kept in jail ahead of a additional proceeding on 28 November.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, outlined Ruben's offending to the court.
She said his those affected were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a summer camp which he managed.
Ruben played a "candy game" with the children, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to eat sweets "rapidly".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had engaged in this activity with the boys "repeatedly", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She said the defendant had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepchild had worries in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC added: "In the summer" his stepchild had concerns about the activities, with valid cause.
"They decided to have a look in the individual's items."
The legal counsel stated materials including lubricant, petroleum jelly and syringes were discovered, and his stepchild contacted the authorities about his worries.
She explained Ruben continued to play the "sweet game" with six children that evening - July 26th - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that time," she added.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the incident.
The prosecutor stated the minors were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so the family member called the authorities again.
She said the defendant then engaged in the "candy game" in a room of five minors.