A man who spiked treats with sleeping medication and provided 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 taken into custody after eight minors and one adult became sick at the facility in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from that region, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
However, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was concerning a young boy.
Ruben was remanded in custody ahead of a further hearing on late November.
'Sweet game'
The legal representative, presenting evidence, outlined the defendant's actions to the legal proceedings.
She explained his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a summer camp which he managed.
The defendant played a "sweet game" with the children, the legal counsel explained, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to consume candy "rapidly".
She stated to the judge Ruben had played this game with the boys "repeatedly", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the next day.
She explained the man had been able to explain this for many years as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had worries in recently.
The legal representative stated further: "Recently" his stepson had concerns about what was going on, for good reason.
"They decided to have a look in the man's possessions."
The prosecutor explained materials including lubricant, petroleum jelly and medical needles were located, and his stepson alerted the law enforcement about his worries.
She said the man continued to conduct the "sweet game" with six children that evening - that Saturday - and they were all ill the next day.
"The police had not responded by that time," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the incident.
The prosecutor said the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so the stepson contacted the authorities again.
She explained the man then engaged in the "candy game" in a space of five children.
