An individual who spiked candy with tranquilliser and provided them to youngsters at a youth camp in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual crimes against two children both between nine and ten.
The defendant was detained after eight minors and one adult became sick at the facility in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, admitted guilt to a total of 17 charges when he stood at the courthouse on recently.
Nevertheless, he denied one particular crime he was facing, which was concerning a young boy.
Ruben was remanded in custody before a subsequent court date on late November.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, described the criminal behavior to the court.
She said his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a summer program which he operated.
Ruben played a "treat game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor said, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She informed the proceedings the defendant had engaged in this activity with the children "repeatedly", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She stated the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had worries in recently.
The prosecutor stated further: "Recently" his stepchild had suspicions about the activities, for good reason.
"They resolved" to investigate in the individual's items."
Mrs Prior KC said materials including infant oil, ointment and injection devices were found, and his stepchild notified the authorities about his worries.
She explained the defendant proceeded to conduct the "candy game" with six boys that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"The police had not arrived by that stage," she added.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the events.
The prosecutor said the minors were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson called the authorities a second time.
She stated Ruben then engaged in the "sweet game" in a space of five children.