A person who laced candy with sleeping medication and provided them to youngsters at a summer camp in Leicestershire has admitted sexual offenses against two young males aged nine and ten years old.
The accused was arrested after eight youngsters and one adult experienced illness at the facility in the summer month.
The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he stood at the courthouse on the end of the week.
Yet, he disputed a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was against a young boy.
The defendant was kept in jail ahead of a subsequent court date on late November.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, detailed the criminal behavior to the court.
She stated his those affected were under-privileged children who were participating in a youth camp which he operated.
Ruben engaged in a "treat game" with the children, the prosecutor explained, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to consume candy "rapidly".
She told the court the man had played this game with the young males "repeatedly", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She said Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had concerns in recently.
Mrs Prior KC added: "In the summer" his family member had concerns about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They chose" to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC said items including lubricant, Vaseline and syringes were located, and his stepson contacted the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She said the defendant continued to engage in the "sweet game" with six children that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"The police had not arrived by that stage," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the police conduct office, had stated that it was examining the police response of the situation.
The prosecutor explained the minors were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson called the authorities once more.
She explained Ruben then engaged in the "candy game" in a area of five youngsters.
