A man who contaminated candy with sleeping medication and distributed them to youngsters at a summer program in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual offences against two young males who were between nine and ten.
The accused was detained after eight children and one adult experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in July.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at the courthouse on the end of the week.
Nevertheless, he denied one particular crime he was charged with, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
The accused was kept in jail before a further hearing on November 28th.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, described the defendant's actions to the court.
She stated his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a summer camp which he ran.
The defendant engaged in a "candy game" with the minors, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and request they to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She informed the proceedings the defendant had engaged in this activity with the children "for many years", and children had previously become sick the subsequent day.
She explained the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had suspicions in recently.
The legal representative stated further: "This year his stepson had worries about the situation, with valid cause.
"They decided to examine in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC said materials including infant oil, Vaseline and injection devices were located, and his stepson contacted the authorities about his concerns.
She explained Ruben proceeded to play the "sweet game" with six boys that time - July 26th - and they were everyone unwell the next day.
"The police had not responded by that time," she continued.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, previously told that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the events.
The legal representative said the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so the stepson called the law enforcement a second time.
She explained the defendant then conducted the "candy game" in a area of five children.
