An individual who contaminated sweets with tranquilliser and distributed them to children at a summer program in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual offences against two children both between nine and ten.
The accused was taken into custody after eight children and a grown-up fell ill at the location in mid-summer.
The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
However, he refused to admit one particular crime he was accused of, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was remanded in custody ahead of a additional proceeding on 28 November.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, handling the case, detailed the defendant's actions to the legal proceedings.
She said his those affected were under-privileged children who were participating in a summer camp which he ran.
The defendant engaged in a "treat game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel said, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She told the court Ruben had engaged in this activity with the young males "over an extended period", and children had previously become sick the next day.
She explained the man had been able to explain this for many years as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had concerns in recently.
Mrs Prior KC added: "Recently" his stepchild had concerns about the situation, justifiably.
"They resolved" to investigate in the individual's items."
The prosecutor said items including baby oil, ointment and injection devices were discovered, and his stepson notified the police about his suspicions.
She said Ruben continued to play the "candy game" with six children that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the subsequent day.
"The police had not responded by that time," she continued.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, previously told that it was reviewing the police response of the incident.
The legal representative said the minors were struggling to walk due to their condition, so the stepson contacted the authorities again.
She said the defendant then played the "candy game" in a room of five children.
