A person who contaminated candy with sleeping medication and gave them to minors at a summer program in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two young males aged between nine and ten.
The defendant was arrested after eight children and one adult became sick at Stathern Lodge in July.
The senior citizen, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
Yet, he denied one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was against a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was remanded in custody prior to a further hearing on late November.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, detailed Ruben's offending to the court.
She explained his victims were under-privileged children who were attending a summer camp which he managed.
Ruben played a "treat game" with the minors, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge the defendant had conducted this practice with the boys "for many years", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She explained Ruben had been capable of justifying this for many years as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had worries in recently.
The prosecutor stated further: "In the summer" his family member had concerns about the activities, justifiably.
"They chose" to have a look in the man's possessions."
The prosecutor explained materials including infant oil, Vaseline and syringes were located, and his family member notified the police about his concerns.
She said Ruben continued to play the "sweet game" with six youngsters that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.
"The police had not gone out by that point," she added.
The police watchdog, the police conduct office, previously told that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.
Mrs Prior said the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so the stepson called the police once more.
She explained Ruben then engaged in the "treat game" in a area of five youngsters.
