A man who laced treats with sleeping medication and gave them to children at a youth camp in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two boys both between nine and ten.
The accused was taken into custody after eight minors and one adult became sick at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.
The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he was present at the judicial center on the end of the week.
Yet, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was against a young boy.
Ruben was held in detention ahead of a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, described the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She explained his victims were under-privileged children who were staying at a summer camp which he operated.
Ruben engaged in a "sweet game" with the children, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were settling down and ask them to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".
She told the court Ruben had engaged in this activity with the young males "repeatedly", and minors had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She said Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had concerns in recently.
Mrs Prior KC added: "In the summer" his family member had worries about the activities, justifiably.
"They resolved" to examine in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC said materials including infant oil, Vaseline and medical needles were found, and his stepson contacted the police about his concerns.
She stated Ruben went on to conduct the "sweet game" with six youngsters that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the next day.
"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that point," she stated further.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was reviewing the police response of the incident.
The prosecutor explained the minors were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson contacted the authorities again.
She stated the man then conducted the "sweet game" in a space of five children.
