A person who contaminated treats with sedative and provided them to minors at a summer program in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two children who were between nine and ten.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight youngsters and one adult became sick at the facility in July.
The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he stood at the judicial center on the end of the week.
Yet, he disputed a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was involving a nine-year-old boy.
The defendant was held in detention ahead of a further hearing on late November.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, handling the case, outlined the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She said his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a summer camp which he operated.
Ruben conducted a "treat game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to ingest treats "rapidly".
She stated to the judge the defendant had conducted this practice with the children "over an extended period", and youngsters had previously become sick the next day.
She said the defendant had been able to explain this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had suspicions in recently.
Mrs Prior KC added: "In the summer" his family member had worries about the activities, justifiably.
"They chose" to have a look in the man's possessions."
The prosecutor explained items including infant oil, Vaseline and syringes were located, and his stepson contacted the police about his concerns.
She said Ruben went on to play the "sweet game" with six children that evening - that Saturday - and they were all sick the following morning.
"The police had not gone out by that point," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was reviewing the police response of the situation.
Mrs Prior stated the minors were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so the family member called the law enforcement a second time.
She explained the man then engaged in the "candy game" in a room of five youngsters.
