An individual who laced treats with sleeping medication and provided them to youngsters at a summer program in the region has admitted sexual offenses against two children who were nine and 10.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight children and one adult became sick at the location in the summer month.
The senior citizen, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
Nevertheless, he denied a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was involving a young boy.
The defendant was kept in jail ahead of a additional proceeding on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, detailed Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She stated his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a summer program which he managed.
The man played a "sweet game" with the children, the legal counsel explained, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and request they to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She told the court the defendant had played this game with the boys "for many years", and children had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She stated the man had been capable of justifying this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had suspicions in recently.
The prosecutor stated further: "In the summer" his stepchild had concerns about what was going on, justifiably.
"They chose" to investigate in the individual's items."
The prosecutor explained materials including baby oil, ointment and syringes were located, and his stepson contacted the police about his concerns.
She said Ruben went on to play the "sweet game" with six boys that evening - July 26th - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that time," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, previously told that it was investigating the police response of the situation.
The legal representative stated the children were struggling to walk due to their condition, so the stepson contacted the police once more.
She said the man then conducted the "treat game" in a space of five minors.
