A man who contaminated treats with tranquilliser and gave them to youngsters at a summer camp in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two children both nine and 10.
The defendant was arrested after eight children and one adult became sick at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from that region, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he stood at the courthouse on Friday.
However, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was remanded in custody prior to a further hearing on late November.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, described the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She explained his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a youth camp which he operated.
The defendant conducted a "sweet game" with the minors, the prosecutor explained, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to consume candy "rapidly".
She stated to the judge the man had engaged in this activity with the boys "for many years", and minors had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She stated Ruben had been able to explain this repeatedly as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had concerns in recently.
The prosecutor continued: "In the summer" his stepchild had suspicions about what was going on, for good reason.
"They decided to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC stated objects including baby oil, petroleum jelly and injection devices were found, and his stepchild alerted the police about his concerns.
She said the man went on to play the "treat game" with six boys that night - July 26th - and they were all ill the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that point," she added.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, previously told that it was reviewing the police response of the situation.
Mrs Prior explained the minors were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so the stepson contacted the police again.
She explained the defendant then conducted the "treat game" in a room of five youngsters.
