A person who contaminated candy with sedative and provided them to minors at a summer program in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two boys who were between nine and ten.
The defendant was detained after eight youngsters and one adult experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a total of 17 charges when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
Yet, he disputed one particular crime he was charged with, which was involving a young boy.
The defendant was kept in jail before a further hearing on November 28th.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, described the defendant's actions to the legal proceedings.
She said his victims were under-privileged children who were participating in a youth camp which he ran.
The man engaged in a "sweet game" with the minors, the legal counsel explained, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were settling down and request they to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She told the court Ruben had conducted this practice with the children "repeatedly", and children had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She explained the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had suspicions in recently.
The prosecutor added: "This year his stepchild had worries about what was going on, for good reason.
"They decided to have a look in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC explained objects including lubricant, ointment and medical needles were found, and his family member alerted the police about his worries.
She stated Ruben continued to play the "sweet game" with six boys that time - July 26th - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that stage," she continued.
The regulatory agency, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
The prosecutor explained the children were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so the family member called the law enforcement again.
She said Ruben then engaged in the "candy game" in a space of five youngsters.
