A man who contaminated sweets with sleeping medication and distributed them to minors at a summer camp in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual offences against two young males both nine and 10.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight minors and one adult fell ill at the location in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was remanded in custody prior to a subsequent court date on November 28th.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, detailed the defendant's actions to the court.
She said his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were participating in a summer camp which he managed.
Ruben engaged in a "treat game" with the minors, the legal counsel explained, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and ask them to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She informed the proceedings the defendant had played this game with the young males "over an extended period", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the next day.
She stated the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had concerns in recently.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "This year his family member had suspicions about the situation, with valid cause.
"They resolved" to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC stated items including infant oil, Vaseline and syringes were discovered, and his stepchild notified the police about his concerns.
She said the man proceeded to conduct the "treat game" with six children that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that point," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the police conduct office, had stated that it was investigating the police response of the events.
The legal representative stated the children were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so the family member contacted the authorities a second time.
She said the defendant then engaged in the "candy game" in a area of five minors.
