An individual who laced treats with tranquilliser and distributed them to youngsters at a summer camp in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two children both between nine and ten.
The defendant was arrested after eight minors and one adult fell ill at the location in the summer month.
The elderly man, from that region, admitted guilt to a total of 17 charges when he stood at the courthouse on Friday.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was facing, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
Ruben was remanded in custody before a subsequent court date on late November.
'Sweet game'
The prosecutor, handling the case, described Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She said his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a summer camp which he managed.
The man engaged in a "sweet game" with the children, the prosecutor stated, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to ingest treats "rapidly".
She stated to the judge the defendant had played this game with the children "over an extended period", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She said Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had concerns in recently.
The prosecutor stated further: "This year his family member had worries about the activities, justifiably.
"They resolved" to investigate in the individual's items."
The legal counsel said objects including baby oil, Vaseline and syringes were discovered, and his family member alerted the law enforcement about his worries.
She said Ruben continued to engage in the "treat game" with six children that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the next day.
"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that time," she stated further.
The oversight body, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was examining the police response of the incident.
The legal representative said the youngsters were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so the family member notified the authorities again.
She stated Ruben then conducted the "sweet game" in a room of five children.
