A person who laced treats with sleeping medication and provided them to minors at a summer camp in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual offences against two boys aged between nine and ten.
The accused was taken into custody after eight minors and one adult became sick at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, admitted guilt to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was concerning a young boy.
The defendant was held in detention prior to a further hearing on late November.
'Candy game'
The legal representative, presenting evidence, described Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She explained his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were staying at a summer camp which he ran.
The man engaged in a "treat game" with the minors, the legal counsel explained, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge the man had played this game with the boys "over an extended period", and minors had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She stated the man had been able to explain this for many years as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had worries in recently.
The legal representative stated further: "This year his stepchild had suspicions about what was going on, justifiably.
"They decided to have a look in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC said materials including infant oil, Vaseline and syringes were located, and his stepchild contacted the police about his concerns.
She explained the defendant went on to conduct the "treat game" with six boys that time - July 26th - and they were everyone unwell the next day.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that stage," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, had stated that it was examining Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
The prosecutor explained the youngsters were struggling to walk due to their condition, so the stepson called the authorities again.
She said the defendant then played the "treat game" in a room of five children.
