A man who contaminated treats with sleeping medication and distributed them to children at a summer camp in Leicestershire has admitted sexual offences against two boys who were nine and 10.
The defendant was arrested after eight youngsters and an older person became sick at the location in July.
The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at the judicial center on Friday.
However, he refused to admit one particular crime he was charged with, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was held in detention before a further hearing on 28 November.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, presenting evidence, described the defendant's actions to the court.
She stated his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a summer camp which he ran.
The defendant engaged in a "sweet game" with the children, the legal counsel said, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She told the court Ruben had played this game with the boys "for many years", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She explained the man had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had worries in recently.
The prosecutor added: "In the summer" his family member had worries about the activities, for good reason.
"They chose" to examine in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor stated materials including baby oil, ointment and injection devices were discovered, and his stepson contacted the authorities about his concerns.
She said Ruben went on to play the "treat game" with six youngsters that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the next day.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that time," she continued.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, had stated that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
The legal representative said the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson notified the authorities once more.
She said Ruben then engaged in the "sweet game" in a room of five children.
