A person who spiked sweets with tranquilliser and distributed them to children at a summer camp in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two young males aged between nine and ten.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight minors and one adult experienced illness at the facility in mid-summer.
The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a total of 17 charges when he was present at the judicial center on the end of the week.
Yet, he disputed one particular crime he was accused of, which was against a nine-year-old child.
The accused was kept in jail prior to a subsequent court date on November 28th.
'Candy game'
The legal representative, presenting evidence, detailed the criminal behavior to the court.
She explained his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a youth camp which he managed.
The man engaged in a "sweet game" with the children, the legal counsel explained, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to ingest treats "rapidly".
She informed the proceedings the defendant had conducted this practice with the children "over an extended period", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She stated Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had suspicions in recently.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "In the summer" his stepson had concerns about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They resolved" to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel said items including baby oil, Vaseline and medical needles were discovered, and his stepchild alerted the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She explained the man proceeded to play the "treat game" with six youngsters that evening - July 26th - and they were all ill the next day.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that time," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was investigating the police response of the incident.
Mrs Prior said the children were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so the stepson notified the police once more.
She said the defendant then played the "candy game" in a space of five children.
