An individual who laced treats with sleeping medication and provided them to youngsters at a summer program in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two children both between nine and ten.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight children and one adult became sick at Stathern Lodge in July.
The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
However, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was held in detention ahead of a further hearing on late November.
'Sweet game'
The legal representative, handling the case, described Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She said his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a summer program which he managed.
Ruben conducted a "candy game" with the minors, the legal counsel said, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and tell them to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had engaged in this activity with the boys "over an extended period", and children had previously become sick the following morning.
She explained the man had been capable of justifying this for many years as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had concerns in recently.
The prosecutor continued: "This year his stepson had concerns about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They decided to examine in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC explained materials including lubricant, ointment and syringes were discovered, and his stepson notified the law enforcement about his worries.
She said the man went on to engage in the "candy game" with six boys that evening - July 26th - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that time," she added.
The regulatory agency, the police conduct office, previously told that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the events.
The prosecutor stated the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson called the authorities a second time.
She said the defendant then engaged in the "candy game" in a space of five children.
