A man who laced candy with sleeping medication and provided them to youngsters at a summer program in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two children both nine and ten years old.
The defendant was arrested after eight children and one adult experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.
The senior citizen, from that region, admitted guilt to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at the judicial center on recently.
Yet, he denied a single sexual charge he was facing, which was involving a nine-year-old boy.
Ruben was remanded in custody ahead of a further hearing on November 28th.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, described Ruben's offending to the court.
She stated his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a summer camp which he ran.
Ruben conducted a "sweet game" with the children, the legal counsel stated, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to eat sweets "rapidly".
She informed the proceedings the man had conducted this practice with the young males "repeatedly", and children had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She explained the man had been able to explain this repeatedly as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had suspicions in recently.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "In the summer" his stepson had worries about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They chose" to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel stated materials including infant oil, petroleum jelly and syringes were located, and his stepchild notified the law enforcement about his worries.
She stated the defendant proceeded to engage in the "candy game" with six children that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"The police had not gone out by that time," she added.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the situation.
The prosecutor stated the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson contacted the police again.
She explained the man then engaged in the "treat game" in a room of five minors.
