A person who laced candy with sleeping medication and gave them to children at a summer camp in Leicestershire has admitted sexual offenses against two children who were nine and ten years old.
The defendant was detained after eight children and a grown-up experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.
The elderly man, from that region, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
Yet, he denied one particular crime he was accused of, which was involving a nine-year-old boy.
The defendant was remanded in custody ahead of a additional proceeding on late November.
'Sweet game'
The prosecutor, handling the case, detailed the defendant's actions to the legal proceedings.
She stated his targets were under-privileged children who were attending a summer program which he ran.
Ruben engaged in a "sweet game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and request they to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She told the court Ruben had conducted this practice with the children "for many years", and minors had previously become sick the next day.
She stated the defendant had been able to explain this over a long period as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had concerns in recently.
Mrs Prior KC added: "Recently" his family member had concerns about the activities, for good reason.
"They decided to investigate in the individual's items."
The prosecutor said items including lubricant, petroleum jelly and syringes were found, and his family member notified the law enforcement about his worries.
She stated Ruben proceeded to play the "candy game" with six children that night - that Saturday - and they were all ill the following morning.
"The police had not responded by that time," she added.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was examining Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
The prosecutor stated the children were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so the family member notified the police again.
She said the defendant then conducted the "treat game" in a room of five children.
