An individual who contaminated candy with sedative and provided them to children at a summer camp in Leicestershire has admitted sexual offenses against two children aged nine and 10.
The defendant was detained after eight youngsters and one adult experienced illness at the facility in the summer month.
The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
Nevertheless, he denied a single sexual charge he was facing, which was involving a young boy.
The accused was kept in jail before a additional proceeding on 28 November.
'Candy game'
The legal representative, presenting evidence, outlined Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She said his victims were under-privileged children who were participating in a youth camp which he operated.
The defendant conducted a "sweet game" with the minors, the prosecutor stated, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were settling down and tell them to ingest treats "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge the defendant had played this game with the children "over an extended period", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She said the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had worries in recently.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "This year his family member had concerns about the activities, with valid cause.
"They resolved" to examine in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor said objects including infant oil, petroleum jelly and syringes were discovered, and his family member notified the police about his suspicions.
She stated Ruben proceeded to engage in the "treat game" with six youngsters that night - that Saturday - and they were all ill the following morning.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that time," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was examining the police response of the situation.
The prosecutor stated the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson notified the police a second time.
She stated Ruben then played the "sweet game" in a area of five minors.
