A man who contaminated treats with sedative and provided them to children at a youth camp in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual crimes against two children aged nine and ten years old.
The accused was taken into custody after eight minors and a grown-up fell ill at the facility in the summer month.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at the courthouse on the end of the week.
However, he refused to admit one particular crime he was charged with, which was involving a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was held in detention ahead of a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, detailed Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She stated his those affected were under-privileged children who were staying at a youth camp which he operated.
The man conducted a "sweet game" with the minors, the prosecutor said, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge Ruben had conducted this practice with the boys "for many years", and minors had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She explained Ruben had been able to explain this over a long period as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had concerns in recently.
The prosecutor continued: "This year his family member had suspicions about what was going on, for good reason.
"They resolved" to have a look in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC said items including baby oil, ointment and injection devices were located, and his stepson contacted the police about his concerns.
She explained the defendant continued to conduct the "candy game" with six boys that evening - that Saturday - and they were all ill the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that time," she added.
The oversight body, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the events.
Mrs Prior said the youngsters were struggling to walk due to their condition, so the family member notified the police a second time.
She stated the defendant then played the "treat game" in a space of five minors.
