A person who spiked sweets with sedative and distributed them to children at a summer camp in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two young males aged nine and ten years old.
The accused was detained after eight youngsters and an older person fell ill at the location in July.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
However, he denied a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
The accused was kept in jail prior to a subsequent court date on late November.
'Treat game'
The prosecutor, prosecuting, detailed the defendant's actions to the court.
She said his victims were under-privileged children who were attending a summer program which he ran.
Ruben conducted a "treat game" with the minors, the prosecutor explained, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and ask them to consume candy "rapidly".
She told the court Ruben had played this game with the young males "for many years", and minors had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She said the defendant had been capable of justifying this for many years as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had suspicions in recently.
The prosecutor stated further: "Recently" his stepson had concerns about the activities, for good reason.
"They resolved" to have a look in the individual's items."
The legal counsel stated materials including infant oil, ointment and injection devices were found, and his stepchild notified the police about his concerns.
She stated the man continued to play the "sweet game" with six children that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"Authorities" had not responded by that stage," she added.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the events.
Mrs Prior explained the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so the family member contacted the police once more.
She explained Ruben then engaged in the "sweet game" in a space of five children.
