An individual who contaminated sweets with sleeping medication and distributed them to minors at a summer program in the region has admitted sexual offenses against two children who were nine and ten years old.
The defendant was detained after eight minors and one adult experienced illness at the facility in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he was present at the courthouse on the end of the week.
However, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was facing, which was concerning a young boy.
Ruben was held in detention ahead of a subsequent court date on November 28th.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, detailed Ruben's offending to the court.
She said his those affected were disadvantaged youngsters who were staying at a summer camp which he ran.
Ruben conducted a "candy game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor stated, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were settling down and tell them to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had conducted this practice with the children "over an extended period", and youngsters had previously become sick the next day.
She stated the man had been able to explain this for many years as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had worries in recently.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "Recently" his stepchild had worries about the situation, justifiably.
"They resolved" to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor stated materials including baby oil, petroleum jelly and medical needles were located, and his stepson contacted the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She stated Ruben went on to conduct the "candy game" with six children that evening - July 26th - and they were all sick the next day.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that stage," she continued.
The police watchdog, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was examining Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.
The legal representative explained the minors were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so the family member called the authorities a second time.
She stated the defendant then conducted the "candy game" in a room of five youngsters.
