A man who laced candy with tranquilliser and distributed them to youngsters at a summer program in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual offences against two children aged nine and 10.
The defendant was arrested after eight children and one adult fell ill at the facility in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
However, he refused to admit one particular crime he was facing, which was against a nine-year-old child.
The accused was remanded in custody prior to a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, handling the case, described Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She explained his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a youth camp which he ran.
The man played a "treat game" with the minors, the prosecutor said, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to ingest treats "rapidly".
She told the court Ruben had played this game with the young males "over an extended period", and minors had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She explained the man had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had concerns in summer 2025.
The prosecutor added: "Recently" his stepson had worries about the activities, with valid cause.
"They chose" to have a look in the individual's items."
The legal counsel said materials including baby oil, ointment and medical needles were located, and his stepson contacted the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She explained the man went on to engage in the "sweet game" with six youngsters that time - that Saturday - and they were all sick the next day.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that time," she added.
The oversight body, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the events.
Mrs Prior explained the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so the family member contacted the law enforcement a second time.
She explained the defendant then engaged in the "sweet game" in a room of five children.
