A man who laced treats with sedative and provided them to minors at a summer program in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two young males aged nine and ten years old.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight minors and an older person experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, admitted guilt to a total of 17 charges when he was present at the judicial center on Friday.
Yet, he disputed one particular crime he was accused of, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
The accused was held in detention prior to a further hearing on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
The legal representative, prosecuting, described the defendant's actions to the court.
She stated his those affected were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a youth camp which he managed.
The man engaged in a "sweet game" with the minors, the prosecutor said, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge Ruben had conducted this practice with the young males "for many years", and minors had previously become sick the subsequent day.
She said Ruben had been capable of justifying this for many years as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepchild had suspicions in recently.
The prosecutor continued: "Recently" his stepson had concerns about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They resolved" to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC said objects including lubricant, ointment and medical needles were found, and his stepson notified the authorities about his worries.
She stated the defendant proceeded to play the "sweet game" with six children that night - July 26th - and they were everyone unwell the next day.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that time," she continued.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was investigating the police response of the incident.
The prosecutor said the minors were struggling to walk due to being ill, so the family member called the law enforcement again.
She explained the man then conducted the "candy game" in a room of five minors.
