A man who spiked candy with sedative and distributed them to children at a summer camp in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two young males aged nine and ten years old.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight youngsters and one adult experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in July.
The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at the courthouse on Friday.
However, he denied one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was against a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was remanded in custody ahead of a subsequent court date on late November.
'Treat game'
The prosecutor, handling the case, described the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She stated his those affected were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a summer camp which he operated.
The defendant played a "candy game" with the children, Mrs Prior said, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and tell them to ingest treats "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge the man had played this game with the young males "over an extended period", and children had previously become sick the following morning.
She explained the defendant had been able to explain this over a long period as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had concerns in recently.
The legal representative stated further: "In the summer" his stepson had concerns about what was going on, justifiably.
"They resolved" to investigate in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC said objects including infant oil, ointment and injection devices were found, and his stepchild contacted the police about his concerns.
She stated the defendant went on to play the "candy game" with six boys that night - that Saturday - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that point," she added.
The police watchdog, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was examining Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.
The legal representative said the youngsters were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so the stepson contacted the law enforcement once more.
She stated Ruben then engaged in the "candy game" in a space of five children.
