A man who laced sweets with sleeping medication and distributed them to youngsters at a youth camp in Leicestershire has admitted sexual crimes against two young males both nine and ten years old.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight minors and a grown-up fell ill at the location in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from that region, admitted guilt to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was facing, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
The defendant was held in detention ahead of a further hearing on late November.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, detailed the criminal behavior to the court.
She stated his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a summer program which he operated.
The man played a "treat game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel explained, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge Ruben had engaged in this activity with the young males "for many years", and youngsters had previously become sick the subsequent day.
She said Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had suspicions in recently.
The legal representative stated further: "Recently" his stepson had worries about the activities, justifiably.
"They chose" to investigate in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC said materials including baby oil, petroleum jelly and medical needles were located, and his family member alerted the police about his concerns.
She stated the defendant continued to conduct the "sweet game" with six youngsters that night - that Saturday - and they were all ill the next day.
"The police had not arrived by that time," she added.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the events.
The prosecutor said the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so the family member notified the police a second time.
She stated Ruben then engaged in the "sweet game" in a space of five minors.
