A person who contaminated sweets with sedative and distributed them to youngsters at a summer program in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two boys both nine and ten years old.
The defendant was arrested after eight minors and an older person fell ill at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from that region, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
Yet, he denied a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was concerning a young boy.
The accused was kept in jail before a further hearing on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, detailed the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She stated his those affected were under-privileged children who were attending a summer program which he ran.
Ruben conducted a "treat game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were settling down and ask them to consume candy "rapidly".
She informed the proceedings the defendant had conducted this practice with the boys "for many years", and children had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She stated Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had worries in recently.
The prosecutor stated further: "Recently" his stepson had suspicions about the situation, with valid cause.
"They decided to examine in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel explained items including lubricant, ointment and syringes were found, and his stepchild alerted the authorities about his worries.
She stated the man went on to play the "candy game" with six children that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the following morning.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that time," she added.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the events.
The prosecutor said the minors were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so the family member called the police a second time.
She stated the man then engaged in the "treat game" in a space of five minors.
