A man who contaminated sweets with sedative and distributed them to minors at a youth camp in Leicestershire has admitted sexual offenses against two young males both nine and 10.
The accused was taken into custody after eight youngsters and one adult became sick at the location in July.
The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he stood at the courthouse on the end of the week.
Yet, he disputed one particular crime he was facing, which was against a young boy.
Ruben was held in detention ahead of a further hearing on late November.
'Sweet game'
The prosecutor, presenting evidence, detailed the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She said his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a summer camp which he operated.
Ruben conducted a "treat game" with the minors, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were settling down and tell them to ingest treats "rapidly".
She stated to the judge the defendant had engaged in this activity with the boys "for many years", and children had previously become sick the subsequent day.
She explained the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had worries in recently.
The legal representative added: "In the summer" his stepchild had concerns about the situation, with valid cause.
"They resolved" to investigate in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC said materials including baby oil, ointment and medical needles were discovered, and his stepchild contacted the authorities about his worries.
She explained the man continued to play the "treat game" with six boys that night - July 26th - and they were all ill the next day.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that time," she added.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was examining law enforcement's management of the events.
The prosecutor explained the youngsters were struggling to walk due to their condition, so the family member notified the law enforcement a second time.
She explained Ruben then conducted the "treat game" in a area of five youngsters.
