An individual who spiked candy with sedative and provided them to minors at a summer program in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual offences against two children who were between nine and ten.
The defendant was arrested after eight youngsters and one adult became sick at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, admitted guilt to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at the judicial center on the end of the week.
Yet, he disputed a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
The accused was remanded in custody ahead of a subsequent court date on late November.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, detailed Ruben's offending to the court.
She stated his victims were under-privileged children who were participating in a summer program which he ran.
The defendant engaged in a "candy game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior said, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and request they to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge the defendant had engaged in this activity with the young males "over an extended period", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She explained the defendant had been capable of justifying this for many years as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepchild had suspicions in recently.
Mrs Prior KC added: "Recently" his stepchild had concerns about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They chose" to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC explained items including lubricant, petroleum jelly and medical needles were found, and his stepchild notified the authorities about his suspicions.
She stated the man continued to play the "sweet game" with six boys that time - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.
"The police had not responded by that point," she continued.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, had stated that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.
The legal representative stated the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson called the authorities once more.
She explained the defendant then conducted the "sweet game" in a space of five children.
