An individual who laced candy with tranquilliser and provided them to youngsters at a summer program in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual crimes against two young males aged nine and 10.
The accused was detained after eight youngsters and an older person became sick at the facility in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from that region, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
Yet, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
Ruben was remanded in custody prior to a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Treat game'
The prosecutor, prosecuting, outlined the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She explained his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a summer camp which he operated.
The man engaged in a "sweet game" with the minors, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and request they to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had engaged in this activity with the boys "for many years", and children had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She explained the defendant had been able to explain this for many years as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had concerns in recently.
The legal representative continued: "This year his stepchild had worries about the activities, justifiably.
"They decided to have a look in the man's possessions."
The prosecutor stated objects including infant oil, ointment and medical needles were located, and his stepchild alerted the police about his suspicions.
She explained the man proceeded to conduct the "candy game" with six children that evening - that Saturday - and they were all sick the next day.
"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that time," she added.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was examining law enforcement's management of the situation.
The prosecutor stated the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson notified the authorities a second time.
She said Ruben then engaged in the "candy game" in a space of five youngsters.
