A person who laced treats with sedative and provided them to children at a youth camp in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual offences against two boys both nine and 10.
The accused was taken into custody after eight youngsters and an older person experienced illness at the facility in mid-summer.
The senior citizen, from that region, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
Yet, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
The accused was kept in jail prior to a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, handling the case, described the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She explained his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a summer camp which he operated.
The man played a "candy game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel said, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and tell them to consume candy "rapidly".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had conducted this practice with the young males "for many years", and children had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She explained the man had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had concerns in recently.
The legal representative stated further: "In the summer" his family member had worries about what was going on, justifiably.
"They decided to investigate in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC stated materials including baby oil, petroleum jelly and syringes were located, and his family member alerted the police about his suspicions.
She said the man went on to conduct the "sweet game" with six children that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that time," she added.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the events.
Mrs Prior explained the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so the family member contacted the authorities again.
She said Ruben then conducted the "candy game" in a room of five youngsters.
