A man who spiked candy with sedative and gave them to youngsters at a summer camp in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual offenses against two young males both nine and 10.
The defendant was detained after eight children and one adult became sick at the location in the summer month.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he was present at the courthouse on Friday.
Nevertheless, he denied one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
Ruben was kept in jail before a further hearing on late November.
'Candy game'
The prosecutor, handling the case, outlined the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She explained his targets were under-privileged children who were staying at a summer camp which he ran.
Ruben conducted a "sweet game" with the minors, the prosecutor stated, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and request they to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She told the court Ruben had played this game with the boys "repeatedly", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She stated the man had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had worries in recently.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "Recently" his family member had suspicions about the situation, with valid cause.
"They decided to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel said items including baby oil, petroleum jelly and medical needles were located, and his stepson notified the police about his suspicions.
She explained Ruben went on to engage in the "sweet game" with six children that night - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that stage," she continued.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the incident.
The legal representative stated the minors were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so the family member contacted the law enforcement once more.
She stated Ruben then played the "sweet game" in a space of five youngsters.
