A person who contaminated treats with sedative and gave them to youngsters at a summer camp in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two young males who were nine and 10.
The accused was taken into custody after eight children and one adult fell ill at the facility in July.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
However, he denied one particular crime he was facing, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was held in detention prior to a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, handling the case, detailed the defendant's actions to the court.
She stated his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a summer camp which he operated.
The defendant engaged in a "sweet game" with the minors, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and request they to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".
She informed the proceedings the man had played this game with the young males "over an extended period", and minors had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She said Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had suspicions in recently.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "In the summer" his stepchild had worries about the activities, with valid cause.
"They chose" to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC explained objects including infant oil, ointment and injection devices were found, and his family member alerted the authorities about his suspicions.
She stated the man proceeded to conduct the "candy game" with six boys that evening - July 26th - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that stage," she continued.
The police watchdog, the police conduct office, had stated that it was examining the police response of the situation.
The legal representative explained the minors were struggling to walk due to their condition, so the stepson called the police a second time.
She stated Ruben then conducted the "treat game" in a area of five youngsters.
