A man who contaminated sweets with sleeping medication and gave them to minors at a summer program in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual offenses against two children aged nine and ten years old.
The accused was arrested after eight youngsters and an older person fell ill at the location in mid-summer.
The senior citizen, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
Nevertheless, he denied one particular crime he was facing, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was kept in jail ahead of a further hearing on November 28th.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, prosecuting, outlined Ruben's offending to the court.
She stated his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a youth camp which he managed.
Ruben conducted a "treat game" with the children, the legal counsel said, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge Ruben had engaged in this activity with the boys "repeatedly", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She said Ruben had been capable of justifying this for many years as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had suspicions in recently.
The legal representative added: "Recently" his family member had concerns about the situation, with valid cause.
"They decided to investigate in the individual's items."
Mrs Prior KC stated objects including baby oil, ointment and injection devices were found, and his stepson notified the authorities about his concerns.
She stated Ruben proceeded to engage in the "candy game" with six youngsters that night - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"The police had not arrived by that stage," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the police conduct office, previously told that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the events.
Mrs Prior said the minors were struggling to walk due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson called the police again.
She said the defendant then conducted the "sweet game" in a space of five youngsters.
