A man who laced sweets with sleeping medication and distributed them to minors at a summer program in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two boys both between nine and ten.
The defendant was arrested after eight minors and a grown-up became sick at the facility in July.
The elderly man, from that region, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at the courthouse on the end of the week.
However, he denied one particular crime he was facing, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
The accused was kept in jail prior to a additional proceeding on 28 November.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, detailed the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She said his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a youth camp which he operated.
The man conducted a "sweet game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor said, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and ask them to ingest treats "rapidly".
She told the court Ruben had conducted this practice with the boys "repeatedly", and minors had previously become sick the next day.
She explained Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had concerns in recently.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "In the summer" his stepchild had worries about what was going on, justifiably.
"They decided to examine in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC said items including infant oil, ointment and injection devices were discovered, and his stepson notified the authorities about his worries.
She explained the man went on to conduct the "sweet game" with six youngsters that evening - that Saturday - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"The police had not gone out by that stage," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the police conduct office, had stated that it was examining law enforcement's management of the events.
The prosecutor explained the children were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so the family member called the police again.
She said the man then engaged in the "treat game" in a space of five minors.
