An individual who spiked candy with tranquilliser and provided them to youngsters at a summer camp in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two young males aged between nine and ten.
The accused was arrested after eight children and one adult became sick at the facility in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from that region, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he stood at the judicial center on the end of the week.
However, he disputed a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was involving a nine-year-old boy.
The defendant was remanded in custody prior to a further hearing on November 28th.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, described Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She said his those affected were disadvantaged youngsters who were staying at a summer program which he managed.
The defendant engaged in a "sweet game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor stated, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were settling down and ask them to ingest treats "as fast as possible".
She informed the proceedings the defendant had engaged in this activity with the young males "over an extended period", and minors had previously fallen ill the next day.
She said Ruben had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had concerns in recently.
The prosecutor stated further: "In the summer" his stepchild had suspicions about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They chose" to investigate in the individual's items."
The prosecutor said objects including lubricant, Vaseline and injection devices were located, and his family member contacted the authorities about his suspicions.
She explained the man continued to engage in the "candy game" with six children that time - July 26th - and they were all sick the next day.
"Authorities" had not responded by that stage," she added.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was examining law enforcement's management of the situation.
The legal representative explained the minors were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so the stepson called the law enforcement again.
She stated Ruben then played the "candy game" in a space of five children.
