A man who spiked candy with tranquilliser and gave them to youngsters at a summer program in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two young males aged nine and ten years old.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight minors and one adult fell ill at the facility in mid-summer.
The senior citizen, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he stood at the courthouse on Friday.
Yet, he denied one particular crime he was charged with, which was against a young boy.
Ruben was held in detention ahead of a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, handling the case, outlined the criminal behavior to the judicial body.
She stated his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a summer program which he managed.
The defendant played a "treat game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel explained, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She informed the proceedings the man had engaged in this activity with the children "for many years", and children had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She explained the man had been able to explain this for many years as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had suspicions in recently.
The prosecutor continued: "Recently" his stepson had worries about the situation, with valid cause.
"They chose" to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC explained materials including infant oil, ointment and injection devices were discovered, and his stepchild notified the law enforcement about his worries.
She stated Ruben went on to engage in the "candy game" with six children that evening - that Saturday - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"The police had not arrived by that time," she added.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, previously told that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the events.
Mrs Prior explained the children were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so the stepson contacted the law enforcement once more.
She said the man then engaged in the "treat game" in a area of five minors.
