A man who spiked candy with sleeping medication and provided them to minors at a summer program in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two boys both nine and 10.
The defendant was detained after eight children and a grown-up fell ill at the facility in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, admitted guilt to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at the courthouse on Friday.
However, he disputed a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was involving a young boy.
The defendant was held in detention prior to a further hearing on 28 November.
'Treat game'
The prosecutor, presenting evidence, detailed Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She stated his those affected were disadvantaged youngsters who were staying at a summer camp which he ran.
The man played a "candy game" with the minors, Mrs Prior said, in which he would go into the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and request they to consume candy "rapidly".
She told the court Ruben had conducted this practice with the children "for many years", and minors had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She explained the defendant had been able to explain this repeatedly as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had concerns in recently.
The prosecutor stated further: "This year his stepson had worries about the situation, for good reason.
"They chose" to investigate in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel explained items including baby oil, petroleum jelly and medical needles were discovered, and his family member contacted the law enforcement about his concerns.
She explained Ruben went on to engage in the "sweet game" with six boys that time - July 26th - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that stage," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was reviewing the police response of the incident.
Mrs Prior stated the minors were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson contacted the police a second time.
She said the man then played the "sweet game" in a room of five minors.
