A man who laced treats with tranquilliser and gave them to minors at a summer camp in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two young males who were nine and ten years old.
The defendant was arrested after eight minors and one adult fell ill at the facility in the summer month.
The elderly man, from that region, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he stood at the courthouse on the end of the week.
Yet, he disputed a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was held in detention prior to a further hearing on November 28th.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, prosecuting, detailed Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She said his those affected were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a summer camp which he ran.
The man engaged in a "sweet game" with the minors, Mrs Prior said, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge Ruben had played this game with the children "repeatedly", and minors had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She explained Ruben had been able to explain this repeatedly as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had concerns in recently.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "Recently" his stepson had suspicions about the activities, with valid cause.
"They decided to have a look in the man's possessions."
The prosecutor stated objects including baby oil, Vaseline and medical needles were discovered, and his stepson contacted the law enforcement about his worries.
She explained the man went on to engage in the "candy game" with six children that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the next day.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that point," she added.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the events.
The legal representative stated the minors were struggling to walk due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson contacted the law enforcement a second time.
She stated the defendant then engaged in the "sweet game" in a space of five minors.
