An individual who spiked candy with sedative and gave them to youngsters at a summer camp in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two young males both nine and 10.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight youngsters and an older person experienced illness at the location in mid-summer.
The senior citizen, from that region, admitted guilt to a total of 17 charges when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was against a young boy.
The defendant was held in detention prior to a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Candy game'
The prosecutor, prosecuting, detailed Ruben's offending to the court.
She explained his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a summer camp which he operated.
The defendant played a "sweet game" with the children, the legal counsel stated, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to ingest treats "rapidly".
She stated to the judge the defendant had conducted this practice with the children "repeatedly", and children had previously become sick the next day.
She stated the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had suspicions in recently.
The legal representative continued: "In the summer" his stepchild had worries about the activities, for good reason.
"They decided to examine in the individual's items."
Mrs Prior KC stated objects including baby oil, petroleum jelly and injection devices were located, and his family member alerted the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She stated Ruben continued to engage in the "candy game" with six children that night - that Saturday - and they were all ill the following morning.
"The police had not gone out by that point," she continued.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was examining law enforcement's management of the incident.
The legal representative said the minors were struggling to walk due to being ill, so the family member called the authorities again.
She stated the defendant then conducted the "treat game" in a room of five children.
