A man who contaminated treats with tranquilliser and distributed them to youngsters at a summer camp in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two children both nine and 10.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight youngsters and one adult fell ill at the facility in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from that region, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he stood at the judicial center on recently.
Yet, he denied one particular crime he was accused of, which was concerning a young boy.
Ruben was kept in jail prior to a further hearing on late November.
'Sweet game'
The legal representative, handling the case, described the defendant's actions to the court.
She stated his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were participating in a summer camp which he operated.
The man played a "treat game" with the minors, the prosecutor explained, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to eat sweets "rapidly".
She told the court the defendant had conducted this practice with the boys "repeatedly", and minors had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She stated the man had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepchild had concerns in recently.
The legal representative stated further: "In the summer" his stepson had suspicions about the situation, for good reason.
"They decided to have a look in the individual's items."
The legal counsel said materials including baby oil, petroleum jelly and medical needles were located, and his family member contacted the police about his worries.
She stated Ruben continued to play the "candy game" with six boys that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the next day.
"The police had not arrived by that point," she added.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, had stated that it was reviewing the police response of the incident.
The legal representative explained the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so the stepson contacted the law enforcement a second time.
She said the man then engaged in the "sweet game" in a space of five minors.
