A man who contaminated sweets with sleeping medication and provided them to youngsters at a summer program in Leicestershire has admitted sexual crimes against two children aged nine and ten years old.
The accused was taken into custody after eight youngsters and an older person fell ill at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.
The senior citizen, from the Nottinghamshire area, admitted guilt to a multiple criminal counts when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
However, he denied one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was involving a young boy.
The accused was remanded in custody ahead of a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
The legal representative, presenting evidence, outlined Ruben's offending to the court.
She stated his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were participating in a summer program which he ran.
The man played a "candy game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel stated, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were settling down and tell them to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge the defendant had engaged in this activity with the boys "repeatedly", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She explained the defendant had been able to explain this for many years as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had worries in recently.
The legal representative stated further: "In the summer" his family member had suspicions about the activities, for good reason.
"They resolved" to examine in the individual's items."
Mrs Prior KC said items including baby oil, petroleum jelly and medical needles were found, and his stepson notified the law enforcement about his worries.
She said the man continued to play the "treat game" with six children that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the following morning.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that stage," she continued.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.
The legal representative stated the minors were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so the family member contacted the authorities again.
She explained Ruben then conducted the "treat game" in a area of five youngsters.
