A person who laced sweets with sedative and gave them to minors at a summer program in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual offences against two children who were between nine and ten.
The accused was arrested after eight youngsters and an older person experienced illness at the location in July.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he was present at the courthouse on the end of the week.
However, he denied a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was kept in jail before a further hearing on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
The legal representative, handling the case, described Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She explained his those affected were disadvantaged youngsters who were participating in a youth camp which he ran.
The man played a "candy game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel said, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge Ruben had engaged in this activity with the young males "over an extended period", and minors had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She explained the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had concerns in recently.
Mrs Prior KC added: "This year his stepson had worries about what was going on, justifiably.
"They resolved" to examine in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel stated materials including infant oil, ointment and syringes were discovered, and his stepchild contacted the police about his concerns.
She said Ruben went on to conduct the "sweet game" with six boys that time - that Saturday - and they were all ill the next day.
"The police had not gone out by that stage," she added.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was examining Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
The legal representative said the children were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so the family member called the law enforcement once more.
She stated Ruben then played the "candy game" in a space of five minors.
