A person who spiked sweets with sleeping medication and gave them to youngsters at a summer camp in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual crimes against two boys who were between nine and ten.
The accused was detained after eight minors and one adult experienced illness at the facility in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was against a young boy.
Ruben was held in detention ahead of a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, detailed Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She stated his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were staying at a summer camp which he ran.
The man engaged in a "treat game" with the minors, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to ingest treats "rapidly".
She told the court Ruben had played this game with the young males "for many years", and youngsters had previously become sick the subsequent day.
She explained the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had concerns in recently.
The legal representative added: "Recently" his stepson had suspicions about what was going on, for good reason.
"They resolved" to investigate in the individual's items."
The prosecutor stated materials including baby oil, ointment and medical needles were discovered, and his stepson notified the law enforcement about his worries.
She stated Ruben went on to engage in the "sweet game" with six children that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the following morning.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that point," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.
The prosecutor said the children were struggling to walk due to being ill, so the stepson notified the police once more.
She explained the defendant then engaged in the "treat game" in a area of five minors.
