An individual who contaminated treats with sedative and distributed them to youngsters at a summer program in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two children who were nine and ten years old.
The accused was arrested after eight youngsters and a grown-up fell ill at the location in the summer month.
The senior citizen, from the Nottinghamshire area, admitted guilt to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
Nevertheless, he denied one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was kept in jail prior to a further hearing on 28 November.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, detailed Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She stated his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a youth camp which he managed.
The man conducted a "candy game" with the minors, the prosecutor explained, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and request they to ingest treats "as fast as possible".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had engaged in this activity with the children "over an extended period", and youngsters had previously become sick the following morning.
She explained Ruben had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had suspicions in recently.
The prosecutor stated further: "This year his family member had suspicions about what was going on, justifiably.
"They resolved" to have a look in the individual's items."
Mrs Prior KC stated materials including baby oil, ointment and syringes were found, and his stepson contacted the police about his suspicions.
She said the defendant proceeded to conduct the "treat game" with six youngsters that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the subsequent day.
"Authorities" had not responded by that time," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.
Mrs Prior said the children were struggling to walk due to being ill, so the family member called the law enforcement once more.
She stated Ruben then engaged in the "treat game" in a space of five children.
