A man who laced candy with tranquilliser and distributed them to children at a youth camp in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two boys both nine and ten years old.
The accused was detained after eight minors and an older person became sick at the facility in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at the judicial center on the end of the week.
Nevertheless, he denied a single sexual charge he was facing, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
The defendant was remanded in custody before a further hearing on November 28th.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, described Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She stated his victims were under-privileged children who were staying at a summer program which he managed.
The man engaged in a "candy game" with the minors, the prosecutor explained, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to ingest treats "rapidly".
She told the court the man had conducted this practice with the boys "repeatedly", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She explained Ruben had been able to explain this for many years as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepchild had suspicions in recently.
The prosecutor added: "Recently" his stepchild had suspicions about the activities, with valid cause.
"They resolved" to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel explained objects including baby oil, Vaseline and medical needles were discovered, and his stepson alerted the police about his suspicions.
She stated Ruben continued to play the "treat game" with six boys that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the following morning.
"Authorities" had not responded by that time," she stated further.
The oversight body, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was investigating the police response of the events.
The prosecutor stated the minors were struggling to walk due to being ill, so the stepson contacted the authorities again.
She explained the defendant then played the "treat game" in a space of five children.
