A man who contaminated candy with sleeping medication and gave them to youngsters at a summer program in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two children both nine and ten years old.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight minors and a grown-up experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in July.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
However, he disputed a single sexual charge he was facing, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was held in detention before a subsequent court date on late November.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, presenting evidence, detailed Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She said his those affected were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a summer program which he ran.
Ruben conducted a "treat game" with the minors, the legal counsel explained, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge Ruben had conducted this practice with the young males "over an extended period", and minors had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She stated the defendant had been able to explain this over a long period as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had worries in recently.
The legal representative continued: "This year his family member had concerns about what was going on, for good reason.
"They chose" to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor stated objects including baby oil, petroleum jelly and syringes were found, and his stepson alerted the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She said the defendant continued to engage in the "treat game" with six children that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"The police had not responded by that stage," she added.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
The legal representative stated the minors were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so the family member contacted the authorities once more.
She explained the man then conducted the "candy game" in a area of five children.