A man who laced sweets with sleeping medication and distributed them to youngsters at a summer camp in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two boys aged nine and ten years old.
The accused was detained after eight youngsters and an older person fell ill at the location in the summer month.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at the judicial center on Friday.
However, he refused to admit one particular crime he was accused of, which was involving a young boy.
Ruben was held in detention ahead of a subsequent court date on late November.
'Sweet game'
The prosecutor, prosecuting, outlined the criminal behavior to the court.
She said his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a summer program which he operated.
The defendant engaged in a "candy game" with the children, the legal counsel explained, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She told the court Ruben had conducted this practice with the young males "over an extended period", and minors had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She stated the man had been able to explain this for many years as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had concerns in recently.
The prosecutor added: "This year his stepchild had concerns about the activities, with valid cause.
"They resolved" to examine in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor stated materials including lubricant, Vaseline and medical needles were located, and his stepson alerted the police about his suspicions.
She said Ruben continued to play the "candy game" with six boys that night - that Saturday - and they were all ill the next day.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that stage," she stated further.
The oversight body, the police conduct office, previously told that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
Mrs Prior explained the minors were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so the family member called the law enforcement a second time.
She stated Ruben then played the "candy game" in a space of five children.
