A person who contaminated candy with tranquilliser and distributed them to minors at a summer camp in Leicestershire has admitted sexual crimes against two boys both between nine and ten.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight children and one adult became sick at Stathern Lodge in July.
The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at the judicial center on Friday.
However, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was against a nine-year-old child.
The accused was remanded in custody ahead of a further hearing on November 28th.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, detailed the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She explained his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a summer program which he operated.
The man played a "candy game" with the minors, the legal counsel explained, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were getting ready for bed and request they to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She told the court the defendant had conducted this practice with the young males "over an extended period", and children had previously become sick the next day.
She explained Ruben had been able to explain this over a long period as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had suspicions in recently.
The legal representative stated further: "Recently" his stepson had concerns about what was going on, justifiably.
"They resolved" to examine in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel stated materials including baby oil, petroleum jelly and medical needles were discovered, and his stepson contacted the law enforcement about his concerns.
She said Ruben proceeded to engage in the "sweet game" with six children that night - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that point," she continued.
The police watchdog, the police conduct office, had stated that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the incident.
The prosecutor explained the minors were struggling to walk due to their condition, so the family member called the police once more.
She stated the defendant then conducted the "sweet game" in a room of five minors.
