An individual who spiked treats with tranquilliser and provided them to children at a summer camp in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual offences against two boys aged nine and 10.
The defendant was detained after eight youngsters and one adult became sick at the location in July.
The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
Yet, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was involving a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was remanded in custody ahead of a further hearing on 28 November.
'Treat game'
The prosecutor, handling the case, outlined the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She stated his those affected were under-privileged children who were attending a summer program which he managed.
Ruben conducted a "sweet game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were getting ready for bed and request they to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She informed the proceedings the defendant had played this game with the young males "repeatedly", and children had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She said Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had worries in recently.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "In the summer" his family member had worries about what was going on, justifiably.
"They chose" to investigate in the individual's items."
The prosecutor said objects including lubricant, petroleum jelly and syringes were found, and his stepchild alerted the authorities about his worries.
She stated Ruben continued to play the "candy game" with six boys that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that time," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was reviewing the police response of the events.
The legal representative stated the children were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so the stepson called the police once more.
She explained the man then engaged in the "treat game" in a area of five children.
