A man who contaminated sweets with sedative and gave them to youngsters at a summer program in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual offences against two children aged nine and ten years old.
The accused was arrested after eight minors and an older person became sick at the location in July.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
Nevertheless, he denied a single sexual charge he was facing, which was concerning a young boy.
The accused was kept in jail before a further hearing on late November.
'Treat game'
The prosecutor, prosecuting, described Ruben's offending to the court.
She said his victims were under-privileged children who were attending a summer camp which he managed.
The man conducted a "treat game" with the children, the prosecutor said, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and request they to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge Ruben had conducted this practice with the boys "repeatedly", and children had previously become sick the following morning.
She said Ruben had been capable of justifying this for many years as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had worries in July 2025.
The legal representative continued: "In the summer" his family member had suspicions about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They decided to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC said items including infant oil, petroleum jelly and injection devices were located, and his stepchild contacted the authorities about his suspicions.
She explained Ruben went on to engage in the "sweet game" with six children that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.
"The police had not arrived by that stage," she added.
The oversight body, the police conduct office, previously told that it was reviewing the police response of the situation.
The prosecutor explained the youngsters were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so the stepson notified the police a second time.
She stated the defendant then conducted the "treat game" in a room of five children.
