A man who contaminated treats with tranquilliser and distributed them to minors at a summer camp in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual offenses against two children both between nine and ten.
The accused was arrested after eight children and an older person experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he stood at the courthouse on Friday.
Yet, he denied a single sexual charge he was facing, which was involving a young boy.
Ruben was remanded in custody before a subsequent court date on November 28th.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, described the criminal behavior to the court.
She explained his targets were under-privileged children who were attending a summer program which he operated.
Ruben played a "candy game" with the minors, the prosecutor stated, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were getting ready for bed and request they to ingest treats "as fast as possible".
She told the court Ruben had played this game with the young males "repeatedly", and children had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She said the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had worries in recently.
The prosecutor added: "Recently" his family member had suspicions about what was going on, justifiably.
"They chose" to have a look in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel stated objects including baby oil, Vaseline and syringes were discovered, and his family member contacted the police about his concerns.
She stated the man proceeded to play the "treat game" with six children that evening - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the next day.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that point," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
The prosecutor said the minors were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so the stepson called the authorities once more.
She said Ruben then conducted the "sweet game" in a room of five youngsters.
