A man who spiked treats with sedative and gave them to minors at a summer program in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual crimes against two boys aged between nine and ten.
The accused was taken into custody after eight children and a grown-up fell ill at the facility in the summer month.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
However, he denied one particular crime he was accused of, which was against a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was kept in jail prior to a subsequent court date on late November.
'Sweet game'
The legal representative, handling the case, outlined the defendant's actions to the court.
She said his those affected were disadvantaged youngsters who were participating in a summer camp which he ran.
The man conducted a "treat game" with the children, the legal counsel said, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and request they to consume candy "rapidly".
She told the court the man had engaged in this activity with the children "over an extended period", and children had previously become sick the subsequent day.
She stated the man had been able to explain this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had suspicions in recently.
The legal representative continued: "Recently" his stepson had suspicions about the activities, with valid cause.
"They chose" to examine in the individual's items."
Mrs Prior KC stated items including baby oil, ointment and medical needles were discovered, and his stepchild notified the law enforcement about his worries.
She explained the man proceeded to engage in the "candy game" with six youngsters that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that stage," she continued.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was examining the police response of the situation.
The prosecutor explained the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson notified the law enforcement again.
She stated Ruben then engaged in the "candy game" in a space of five minors.
