A man who contaminated candy with sedative and provided them to minors at a summer program in the region has confessed to sexual crimes against two boys who were nine and 10.
The accused was arrested after eight minors and a grown-up became sick at the location in mid-summer.
The senior citizen, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
Yet, he denied a single sexual charge he was facing, which was involving a young boy.
The defendant was remanded in custody ahead of a additional proceeding on November 28th.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, handling the case, outlined the defendant's actions to the legal proceedings.
She explained his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a summer camp which he ran.
Ruben played a "candy game" with the children, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and request they to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She informed the proceedings the man had played this game with the children "repeatedly", and minors had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She stated the man had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepchild had concerns in recently.
The legal representative added: "Recently" his stepchild had worries about the situation, justifiably.
"They decided to investigate in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC explained materials including lubricant, petroleum jelly and injection devices were discovered, and his stepson alerted the authorities about his suspicions.
She stated the defendant continued to play the "sweet game" with six youngsters that night - July 26th - and they were all sick the following morning.
"The police had not gone out by that point," she continued.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, previously told that it was reviewing the police response of the situation.
The legal representative stated the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson notified the authorities again.
She explained the man then engaged in the "candy game" in a space of five youngsters.
