A person who contaminated candy with sleeping medication and provided them to children at a summer program in Leicestershire has admitted sexual offenses against two children both nine and 10.
The accused was detained after eight minors and a grown-up experienced illness at the location in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a total of 17 charges when he was present at the courthouse on Friday.
However, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was against a nine-year-old child.
The accused was held in detention before a additional proceeding on late November.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, prosecuting, outlined the criminal behavior to the court.
She stated his targets were under-privileged children who were staying at a summer camp which he ran.
Ruben engaged in a "treat game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to ingest treats "rapidly".
She told the court the defendant had played this game with the children "over an extended period", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She explained Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepchild had worries in recently.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "Recently" his stepchild had concerns about the activities, for good reason.
"They chose" to investigate in the individual's items."
Mrs Prior KC said items including infant oil, petroleum jelly and medical needles were discovered, and his stepchild contacted the authorities about his worries.
She said the defendant went on to conduct the "treat game" with six youngsters that evening - July 26th - and they were everyone unwell the next day.
"The police had not responded by that point," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, previously told that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the incident.
The legal representative stated the children were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so the stepson contacted the police a second time.
She explained Ruben then played the "treat game" in a area of five children.
