A man who spiked sweets with sedative and gave them to minors at a summer program in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two boys both between nine and ten.
The accused was arrested after eight youngsters and an older person experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from that region, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
Yet, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was against a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was remanded in custody before a further hearing on late November.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, described Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She stated his targets were under-privileged children who were participating in a summer program which he managed.
The defendant conducted a "treat game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor stated, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and request they to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".
She informed the proceedings the defendant had conducted this practice with the children "for many years", and children had previously fallen ill the next day.
She explained the defendant had been capable of justifying this repeatedly as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had concerns in recently.
The prosecutor continued: "In the summer" his stepson had concerns about what was going on, for good reason.
"They chose" to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel said items including baby oil, petroleum jelly and injection devices were found, and his stepson contacted the authorities about his worries.
She explained the man proceeded to conduct the "candy game" with six youngsters that evening - that Saturday - and they were all ill the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that time," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was investigating the police response of the events.
Mrs Prior said the children were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so the stepson contacted the authorities again.
She stated the defendant then conducted the "sweet game" in a room of five youngsters.
