An individual who spiked candy with sedative and gave them to children at a summer program in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two boys who were nine and ten years old.
The accused was arrested after eight youngsters and one adult became sick at the location in July.
The elderly man, from that region, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at the courthouse on the end of the week.
Nevertheless, he disputed one particular crime he was facing, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was remanded in custody before a further hearing on late November.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, described Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She explained his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a summer camp which he operated.
The man conducted a "sweet game" with the minors, Mrs Prior said, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and request they to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".
She told the court Ruben had played this game with the children "over an extended period", and minors had previously become sick the next day.
She said the defendant had been able to explain this over a long period as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had worries in recently.
The prosecutor stated further: "Recently" his family member had suspicions about the situation, with valid cause.
"They chose" to examine in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor said items including lubricant, ointment and syringes were located, and his stepchild alerted the police about his suspicions.
She stated Ruben proceeded to conduct the "treat game" with six boys that time - that Saturday - and they were all sick the following morning.
"The police had not arrived by that time," she added.
The oversight body, the investigative body, had stated that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the events.
The legal representative stated the youngsters were struggling to walk due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson called the police again.
She stated the defendant then conducted the "treat game" in a room of five children.
