A person who laced candy with sedative and distributed them to minors at a summer program in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two children who were nine and 10.
The accused was arrested after eight youngsters and an older person became sick at the facility in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from that region, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at the courthouse on recently.
Nevertheless, he disputed one particular crime he was facing, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
Ruben was kept in jail prior to a further hearing on late November.
'Treat game'
The prosecutor, handling the case, detailed the defendant's actions to the court.
She stated his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a summer camp which he operated.
The defendant conducted a "treat game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel said, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She told the court the man had conducted this practice with the children "for many years", and minors had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She stated the man had been capable of justifying this for many years as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had worries in recently.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "In the summer" his stepchild had concerns about what was going on, for good reason.
"They resolved" to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor explained objects including infant oil, Vaseline and medical needles were found, and his family member alerted the law enforcement about his concerns.
She said Ruben proceeded to play the "treat game" with six boys that night - that Saturday - and they were all sick the next day.
"Authorities" had not responded by that point," she continued.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, previously told that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the events.
The prosecutor explained the children were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson notified the law enforcement a second time.
She said the man then conducted the "sweet game" in a space of five minors.
