A person who spiked candy with sleeping medication and distributed them to youngsters at a summer program in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two boys who were nine and ten years old.
The defendant was detained after eight minors and an older person experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in July.
The 76-year-old, from that region, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at the courthouse on recently.
Yet, he disputed a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was involving a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was kept in jail prior to a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, described the defendant's actions to the court.
She stated his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a summer program which he ran.
The man conducted a "sweet game" with the children, the prosecutor explained, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to ingest treats "as fast as possible".
She told the court Ruben had conducted this practice with the children "repeatedly", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She stated the defendant had been able to explain this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had concerns in recently.
The prosecutor continued: "This year his stepchild had suspicions about the activities, justifiably.
"They chose" to investigate in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC explained objects including baby oil, petroleum jelly and injection devices were found, and his family member alerted the authorities about his concerns.
She said Ruben went on to play the "candy game" with six youngsters that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the following morning.
"The police had not arrived by that time," she added.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.
Mrs Prior said the minors were struggling to walk due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson contacted the police again.
She said Ruben then conducted the "treat game" in a room of five minors.
