A person who contaminated candy with sleeping medication and distributed them to minors at a youth camp in Leicestershire has admitted sexual crimes against two boys who were between nine and ten.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight minors and an older person experienced illness at the facility in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from that region, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
Yet, he disputed one particular crime he was charged with, which was against a nine-year-old boy.
The defendant was remanded in custody before a further hearing on 28 November.
'Treat game'
The prosecutor, presenting evidence, outlined the criminal behavior to the court.
She explained his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a summer camp which he managed.
The man engaged in a "sweet game" with the children, the legal counsel said, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to ingest treats "rapidly".
She stated to the judge Ruben had engaged in this activity with the boys "repeatedly", and minors had previously become sick the subsequent day.
She said the man had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had worries in recently.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "In the summer" his stepson had worries about the situation, for good reason.
"They decided to examine in the individual's items."
The prosecutor said items including lubricant, petroleum jelly and medical needles were found, and his stepchild alerted the police about his worries.
She said the man went on to play the "treat game" with six boys that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the following morning.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that time," she continued.
The police watchdog, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was examining law enforcement's management of the events.
Mrs Prior explained the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so the family member notified the police a second time.
She stated the defendant then conducted the "candy game" in a room of five minors.
