A person who laced treats with sedative and distributed them to children at a summer camp in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual offenses against two young males who were between nine and ten.
The accused was arrested after eight children and one adult experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in July.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
Nevertheless, he disputed a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was remanded in custody ahead of a additional proceeding on 28 November.
'Treat game'
The prosecutor, handling the case, described the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She stated his targets were under-privileged children who were participating in a summer camp which he ran.
The man played a "candy game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor stated, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to eat sweets "rapidly".
She stated to the judge Ruben had played this game with the boys "over an extended period", and youngsters had previously become sick the subsequent day.
She said Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had worries in recently.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "Recently" his family member had concerns about what was going on, justifiably.
"They decided to have a look in the man's possessions."
The prosecutor stated materials including infant oil, petroleum jelly and medical needles were discovered, and his family member alerted the authorities about his suspicions.
She stated the defendant continued to play the "candy game" with six children that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the following morning.
"The police had not gone out by that point," she added.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was examining the police response of the situation.
The prosecutor explained the minors were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so the stepson called the police a second time.
She stated the man then played the "treat game" in a area of five youngsters.
