A person who contaminated candy with sedative and gave them to children at a summer camp in the region has confessed to sexual offences against two children who were between nine and ten.
The accused was arrested after eight minors and a grown-up fell ill at the location in mid-summer.
The senior citizen, from that region, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
Yet, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
Ruben was held in detention prior to a subsequent court date on November 28th.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, outlined the defendant's actions to the court.
She stated his those affected were under-privileged children who were staying at a youth camp which he ran.
Ruben engaged in a "treat game" with the children, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to eat sweets "rapidly".
She stated to the judge the defendant had played this game with the young males "for many years", and children had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She stated the defendant had been capable of justifying this for many years as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepchild had concerns in recently.
The legal representative stated further: "In the summer" his stepson had worries about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They decided to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor explained items including lubricant, ointment and syringes were found, and his stepchild contacted the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She explained the man proceeded to conduct the "candy game" with six boys that evening - that Saturday - and they were all sick the next day.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that point," she added.
The police watchdog, the police conduct office, previously told that it was reviewing the police response of the situation.
The legal representative said the children were struggling to walk due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson called the police again.
She stated the defendant then engaged in the "candy game" in a space of five minors.
