A man who contaminated treats with sedative and gave them to children at a summer program in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual crimes against two boys both nine and 10.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight youngsters and a grown-up fell ill at Stathern Lodge in July.
The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
Yet, he denied one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was kept in jail prior to a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, detailed the defendant's actions to the legal proceedings.
She explained his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a summer program which he operated.
Ruben conducted a "candy game" with the children, the legal counsel stated, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to consume candy "rapidly".
She told the court Ruben had played this game with the young males "over an extended period", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She explained the defendant had been able to explain this for many years as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had suspicions in recently.
The prosecutor added: "This year his family member had worries about the situation, for good reason.
"They decided to investigate in the individual's items."
The legal counsel said items including baby oil, petroleum jelly and injection devices were discovered, and his stepchild contacted the police about his worries.
She stated the defendant continued to play the "sweet game" with six children that time - July 26th - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that point," she added.
The regulatory agency, the police conduct office, had stated that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the events.
Mrs Prior explained the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so the stepson contacted the police once more.
She said the defendant then conducted the "sweet game" in a room of five youngsters.
