A man who contaminated treats with sedative and gave them to youngsters at a summer program in the area has confessed to sexual crimes against two young males who were nine and ten years old.
The accused was arrested after eight children and an older person became sick at the facility in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from that region, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was against a nine-year-old boy.
The defendant was remanded in custody before a subsequent court date on November 28th.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, outlined the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She said his those affected were disadvantaged youngsters who were staying at a youth camp which he operated.
The defendant conducted a "candy game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel explained, in which he would go into the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and request they to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She told the court Ruben had conducted this practice with the young males "for many years", and minors had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She explained the man had been able to explain this over a long period as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had worries in recently.
The legal representative added: "In the summer" his stepson had suspicions about the activities, for good reason.
"They chose" to examine in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel explained objects including infant oil, Vaseline and medical needles were found, and his stepson notified the law enforcement about his concerns.
She stated Ruben went on to play the "treat game" with six youngsters that evening - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that time," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was investigating the police response of the events.
Mrs Prior said the youngsters were struggling to walk due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson notified the police again.
She said the man then engaged in the "candy game" in a space of five minors.
