A person who laced candy with tranquilliser and distributed them to minors at a summer camp in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual offenses against two young males who were between nine and ten.
The accused was taken into custody after eight children and one adult fell ill at Stathern Lodge in July.
The senior citizen, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at the courthouse on Friday.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit one particular crime he was accused of, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was held in detention ahead of a subsequent court date on late November.
'Candy game'
The legal representative, presenting evidence, described Ruben's offending to the court.
She explained his those affected were under-privileged children who were participating in a summer program which he operated.
The man engaged in a "sweet game" with the children, the legal counsel stated, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and request they to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She told the court Ruben had conducted this practice with the children "over an extended period", and youngsters had previously become sick the next day.
She explained the man had been capable of justifying this for many years as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had concerns in recently.
The prosecutor added: "Recently" his stepchild had suspicions about the activities, for good reason.
"They decided to examine in the individual's items."
The prosecutor said objects including lubricant, petroleum jelly and medical needles were discovered, and his stepson alerted the authorities about his suspicions.
She explained Ruben went on to conduct the "sweet game" with six children that evening - that Saturday - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"Authorities" had not responded by that time," she continued.
The regulatory agency, the police conduct office, had stated that it was examining Leicestershire Police's handling of the events.
Mrs Prior stated the children were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so the family member called the authorities once more.
She stated the defendant then engaged in the "candy game" in a room of five youngsters.
