A person who contaminated treats with sleeping medication and gave them to children at a summer camp in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two children who were between nine and ten.
The defendant was arrested after eight minors and an older person became sick at the location in the summer month.
The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was against a young boy.
The accused was kept in jail before a additional proceeding on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, described Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She said his those affected were under-privileged children who were attending a youth camp which he ran.
The defendant played a "treat game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were settling down and ask them to eat sweets "rapidly".
She informed the proceedings the man had conducted this practice with the boys "over an extended period", and minors had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She said Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had worries in recently.
The legal representative stated further: "In the summer" his stepchild had concerns about the situation, for good reason.
"They decided to investigate in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel explained objects including baby oil, Vaseline and medical needles were discovered, and his stepson alerted the law enforcement about his worries.
She explained the defendant proceeded to engage in the "sweet game" with six children that night - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.
"Authorities" had not responded by that time," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, had stated that it was examining the police response of the situation.
The legal representative said the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson called the law enforcement a second time.
She explained the defendant then engaged in the "candy game" in a room of five children.
