An individual who laced treats with tranquilliser and distributed them to children at a summer camp in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual crimes against two young males aged between nine and ten.
The accused was detained after eight children and a grown-up fell ill at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from that region, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
However, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was against a young boy.
Ruben was remanded in custody prior to a further hearing on late November.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, outlined the defendant's actions to the legal proceedings.
She stated his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a summer program which he managed.
The man conducted a "treat game" with the children, the legal counsel stated, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to ingest treats "rapidly".
She told the court Ruben had played this game with the children "over an extended period", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She said the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had concerns in recently.
The prosecutor added: "Recently" his family member had worries about what was going on, justifiably.
"They chose" to examine in the individual's items."
Mrs Prior KC explained materials including lubricant, ointment and injection devices were discovered, and his stepson alerted the authorities about his worries.
She stated Ruben proceeded to play the "sweet game" with six boys that evening - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the next day.
"The police had not responded by that point," she added.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the events.
The legal representative explained the minors were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson contacted the law enforcement once more.
She said the defendant then played the "sweet game" in a space of five minors.
