A person who contaminated sweets with sedative and distributed them to minors at a summer program in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two children aged nine and 10.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight youngsters and a grown-up became sick at the location in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he stood at the judicial center on the end of the week.
However, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was against a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was kept in jail before a further hearing on November 28th.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, detailed the criminal behavior to the court.
She explained his targets were under-privileged children who were staying at a youth camp which he managed.
Ruben engaged in a "candy game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor said, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and ask them to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She informed the proceedings the defendant had conducted this practice with the boys "over an extended period", and children had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She stated the man had been able to explain this over a long period as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had concerns in recently.
The prosecutor stated further: "Recently" his stepchild had suspicions about what was going on, justifiably.
"They chose" to investigate in the individual's items."
The prosecutor explained materials including baby oil, ointment and medical needles were discovered, and his stepson alerted the authorities about his worries.
She stated Ruben went on to conduct the "candy game" with six youngsters that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that time," she added.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, previously told that it was investigating the police response of the situation.
The prosecutor said the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so the family member notified the police a second time.
She stated Ruben then conducted the "candy game" in a room of five minors.
