A man who contaminated candy with sleeping medication and gave them to minors at a summer camp in Leicestershire has admitted sexual offences against two boys aged nine and 10.
The accused was arrested after eight youngsters and an older person became sick at the location in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
Yet, he denied one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was involving a nine-year-old boy.
Ruben was held in detention before a further hearing on November 28th.
'Sweet game'
The legal representative, prosecuting, described Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She explained his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were staying at a summer camp which he operated.
The man engaged in a "sweet game" with the minors, Mrs Prior said, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were settling down and tell them to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She informed the proceedings the man had played this game with the children "over an extended period", and children had previously fallen ill the next day.
She stated the man had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had concerns in recently.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "Recently" his stepson had concerns about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They decided to examine in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel explained materials including lubricant, ointment and medical needles were located, and his stepson notified the police about his concerns.
She stated the defendant continued to conduct the "treat game" with six children that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the following morning.
"The police had not gone out by that point," she continued.
The police watchdog, the police conduct office, previously told that it was reviewing the police response of the events.
The prosecutor stated the youngsters were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson notified the authorities once more.
She said the defendant then conducted the "candy game" in a space of five youngsters.
