A person who laced candy with sedative and gave them to minors at a youth camp in Leicestershire has admitted sexual offences against two children who were nine and ten years old.
The accused was arrested after eight children and a grown-up fell ill at Stathern Lodge in July.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he stood at the courthouse on Friday.
Yet, he denied one particular crime he was facing, which was involving a young boy.
The accused was held in detention prior to a further hearing on 28 November.
'Treat game'
The prosecutor, presenting evidence, detailed the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She stated his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a youth camp which he managed.
The man conducted a "treat game" with the children, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were settling down and tell them to consume candy "rapidly".
She informed the proceedings the man had engaged in this activity with the children "over an extended period", and minors had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She stated the defendant had been capable of justifying this for many years as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had suspicions in recently.
The legal representative stated further: "Recently" his family member had concerns about the activities, for good reason.
"They resolved" to investigate in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel explained objects including lubricant, Vaseline and medical needles were discovered, and his family member alerted the authorities about his concerns.
She said Ruben continued to engage in the "treat game" with six boys that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the following morning.
"The police had not responded by that point," she continued.
The regulatory agency, the police conduct office, previously told that it was examining the police response of the incident.
The legal representative stated the children were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson contacted the authorities once more.
She said the man then conducted the "treat game" in a area of five minors.
