A man who spiked sweets with sleeping medication and distributed them to youngsters at a summer camp in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two children both nine and 10.
The accused was arrested after eight minors and a grown-up experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, admitted guilt to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at the courthouse on the end of the week.
Yet, he disputed a single sexual charge he was facing, which was involving a young boy.
The defendant was held in detention ahead of a further hearing on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
The prosecutor, handling the case, outlined the defendant's actions to the court.
She said his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were staying at a summer camp which he ran.
Ruben conducted a "treat game" with the children, the prosecutor stated, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to eat sweets "rapidly".
She told the court the man had engaged in this activity with the children "over an extended period", and youngsters had previously become sick the following morning.
She stated the man had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepchild had suspicions in recently.
The legal representative stated further: "Recently" his stepchild had suspicions about the activities, for good reason.
"They chose" to examine in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel stated items including infant oil, petroleum jelly and syringes were located, and his family member contacted the authorities about his suspicions.
She said the man went on to engage in the "candy game" with six youngsters that evening - July 26th - and they were all ill the subsequent day.
"The police had not responded by that time," she added.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the incident.
The legal representative said the children were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so the stepson called the law enforcement once more.
She explained Ruben then engaged in the "sweet game" in a room of five children.
