A man who laced candy with tranquilliser and gave them to youngsters at a youth camp in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual offences against two young males both nine and 10.
The accused was arrested after eight children and one adult experienced illness at the facility in July.
The senior citizen, from that region, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he stood at the courthouse on Friday.
However, he denied one particular crime he was accused of, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was remanded in custody prior to a additional proceeding on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
The prosecutor, presenting evidence, detailed Ruben's offending to the court.
She said his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a summer camp which he ran.
Ruben played a "treat game" with the children, the legal counsel stated, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and request they to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge the defendant had conducted this practice with the boys "repeatedly", and minors had previously become sick the next day.
She stated the man had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had concerns in recently.
The legal representative stated further: "This year his stepchild had suspicions about the situation, for good reason.
"They decided to examine in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel explained materials including lubricant, petroleum jelly and syringes were found, and his stepchild alerted the authorities about his suspicions.
She explained the man went on to conduct the "candy game" with six boys that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that point," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was reviewing the police response of the events.
The legal representative said the youngsters were struggling to walk due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson notified the law enforcement a second time.
She stated the man then engaged in the "treat game" in a area of five minors.
