An individual who spiked candy with sleeping medication and provided them to youngsters at a summer camp in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual offenses against two young males aged nine and 10.
The accused was arrested after eight youngsters and an older person fell ill at the location in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from that region, admitted guilt to a total of 17 charges when he stood at the courthouse on Friday.
However, he denied one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was against a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was kept in jail prior to a additional proceeding on late November.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, detailed Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She stated his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a youth camp which he operated.
The man conducted a "candy game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had engaged in this activity with the young males "over an extended period", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She said Ruben had been capable of justifying this repeatedly as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had worries in recently.
The legal representative stated further: "This year his stepchild had suspicions about the situation, with valid cause.
"They decided to investigate in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC stated items including infant oil, ointment and syringes were located, and his stepson notified the police about his worries.
She said the man went on to engage in the "sweet game" with six youngsters that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the next day.
"Authorities" had not responded by that stage," she continued.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, previously told that it was examining law enforcement's management of the situation.
Mrs Prior explained the children were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so the family member called the authorities again.
She explained the defendant then played the "candy game" in a area of five youngsters.
