An individual who laced candy with tranquilliser and distributed them to children at a youth camp in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two boys who were between nine and ten.
The accused was detained after eight children and an older person fell ill at the facility in July.
The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he stood at the judicial center on Friday.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was involving a nine-year-old boy.
Ruben was held in detention ahead of a subsequent court date on November 28th.
'Candy game'
The legal representative, prosecuting, outlined Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She stated his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a summer program which he ran.
The defendant engaged in a "sweet game" with the minors, the prosecutor explained, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She informed the proceedings the defendant had conducted this practice with the children "over an extended period", and youngsters had previously become sick the following morning.
She stated Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had worries in recently.
The prosecutor stated further: "In the summer" his family member had worries about the activities, with valid cause.
"They decided to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor stated objects including baby oil, ointment and medical needles were discovered, and his family member contacted the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She said the man went on to conduct the "candy game" with six children that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"The police had not gone out by that time," she added.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the events.
The prosecutor stated the minors were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so the family member contacted the police again.
She stated Ruben then conducted the "candy game" in a area of five minors.
