A person who laced treats with sedative and provided them to children at a youth camp in Leicestershire has admitted sexual crimes against two young males aged between nine and ten.
The accused was detained after eight minors and one adult fell ill at the location in July.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
Yet, he denied a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was against a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was kept in jail prior to a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, outlined the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She explained his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a youth camp which he ran.
The man conducted a "treat game" with the minors, the prosecutor stated, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and tell them to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge the defendant had played this game with the children "over an extended period", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She explained the defendant had been able to explain this for many years as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had suspicions in recently.
The legal representative added: "In the summer" his stepson had worries about the situation, justifiably.
"They decided to examine in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel stated materials including infant oil, petroleum jelly and injection devices were discovered, and his stepson contacted the authorities about his suspicions.
She stated the defendant continued to engage in the "candy game" with six children that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"The police had not arrived by that time," she added.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was examining the police response of the incident.
The legal representative explained the youngsters were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson notified the law enforcement a second time.
She stated the man then played the "candy game" in a area of five minors.
