A man who contaminated treats with tranquilliser and gave them to youngsters at a summer camp in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual offences against two young males aged nine and ten years old.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight children and an older person fell ill at the facility in July.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at the judicial center on the end of the week.
Yet, he refused to admit one particular crime he was facing, which was involving a young boy.
The defendant was remanded in custody ahead of a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Candy game'
The legal representative, handling the case, detailed the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She said his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were staying at a youth camp which he managed.
The defendant engaged in a "treat game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor stated, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and ask them to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge the man had played this game with the children "for many years", and children had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She said Ruben had been able to explain this over a long period as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had worries in recently.
The legal representative continued: "This year his stepson had concerns about the situation, justifiably.
"They chose" to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor said items including baby oil, petroleum jelly and syringes were located, and his family member contacted the police about his concerns.
She stated the defendant continued to conduct the "treat game" with six youngsters that time - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that point," she continued.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, had stated that it was reviewing the police response of the situation.
Mrs Prior stated the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so the family member contacted the police a second time.
She said the defendant then engaged in the "sweet game" in a room of five children.
