A man who spiked sweets with tranquilliser and distributed them to youngsters at a youth camp in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual offences against two boys both nine and ten years old.
The accused was taken into custody after eight youngsters and one adult experienced illness at the facility in the summer month.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a total of 17 charges when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
However, he denied one particular crime he was charged with, which was against a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was held in detention before a further hearing on late November.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, outlined the criminal behavior to the judicial body.
She stated his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a youth camp which he managed.
The man engaged in a "sweet game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would go into the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and ask them to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She told the court the man had conducted this practice with the young males "repeatedly", and youngsters had previously become sick the following morning.
She said the defendant had been able to explain this repeatedly as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had suspicions in recently.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "Recently" his family member had worries about the situation, justifiably.
"They resolved" to investigate in the individual's items."
Mrs Prior KC stated objects including baby oil, ointment and medical needles were discovered, and his stepson notified the police about his concerns.
She explained the defendant proceeded to engage in the "treat game" with six boys that time - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the next day.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that stage," she added.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the events.
The prosecutor stated the children were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson notified the law enforcement again.
She stated Ruben then conducted the "candy game" in a area of five children.
