A person who laced treats with tranquilliser and provided them to children at a summer program in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual crimes against two boys aged between nine and ten.
The accused was detained after eight minors and one adult fell ill at the location in the summer month.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he was present at the judicial center on Friday.
Yet, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was facing, which was against a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was held in detention prior to a further hearing on November 28th.
'Candy game'
The legal representative, prosecuting, detailed Ruben's offending to the court.
She stated his targets were under-privileged children who were attending a summer program which he operated.
Ruben played a "candy game" with the minors, the prosecutor explained, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and request they to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She informed the proceedings the defendant had played this game with the boys "over an extended period", and children had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She explained the man had been able to explain this for many years as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had concerns in recently.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "Recently" his stepson had concerns about the activities, for good reason.
"They chose" to investigate in the man's possessions."
The prosecutor stated materials including infant oil, petroleum jelly and syringes were discovered, and his family member alerted the authorities about his concerns.
She said the defendant proceeded to engage in the "candy game" with six youngsters that evening - July 26th - and they were all ill the following morning.
"Authorities" had not responded by that time," she added.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, had stated that it was examining Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
The prosecutor said the youngsters were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson contacted the authorities a second time.
She said Ruben then played the "treat game" in a space of five children.
