A person who laced candy with tranquilliser and provided them to children at a summer program in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual offences against two children aged nine and 10.
The accused was detained after eight youngsters and one adult fell ill at the location in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he was present at the courthouse on the end of the week.
However, he denied one particular crime he was facing, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was remanded in custody before a further hearing on 28 November.
'Treat game'
The prosecutor, presenting evidence, described Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She explained his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were staying at a summer camp which he managed.
Ruben engaged in a "treat game" with the minors, the prosecutor stated, in which he would go into the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She told the court the defendant had engaged in this activity with the boys "for many years", and youngsters had previously become sick the next day.
She stated Ruben had been capable of justifying this for many years as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had concerns in recently.
The legal representative stated further: "In the summer" his stepson had suspicions about the situation, with valid cause.
"They resolved" to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC said materials including infant oil, petroleum jelly and injection devices were discovered, and his family member contacted the police about his suspicions.
She explained the defendant proceeded to conduct the "treat game" with six boys that evening - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"The police had not gone out by that point," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the police conduct office, had stated that it was examining law enforcement's management of the events.
The legal representative stated the minors were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so the stepson contacted the law enforcement again.
She stated Ruben then played the "sweet game" in a space of five youngsters.
