A man who contaminated treats with tranquilliser and provided them to children at a summer program in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual crimes against two children who were nine and ten years old.
The defendant was detained after eight children and a grown-up became sick at the location in July.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
Yet, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was kept in jail ahead of a additional proceeding on 28 November.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, detailed Ruben's offending to the court.
She stated his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a youth camp which he operated.
Ruben engaged in a "sweet game" with the children, Mrs Prior said, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and request they to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She informed the proceedings the man had engaged in this activity with the children "for many years", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She stated the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had worries in recently.
The legal representative added: "In the summer" his stepchild had concerns about the activities, with valid cause.
"They chose" to examine in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor said items including baby oil, ointment and injection devices were located, and his stepson alerted the authorities about his worries.
She explained the man went on to play the "candy game" with six youngsters that night - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"Authorities" had not responded by that point," she added.
The oversight body, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was investigating the police response of the situation.
The legal representative explained the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so the family member notified the authorities once more.
She explained Ruben then played the "treat game" in a area of five youngsters.
