A person who spiked candy with sedative and provided them to children at a youth camp in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual offenses against two young males aged between nine and ten.
The accused was detained after eight minors and an older person fell ill at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.
The elderly man, from that region, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
However, he denied one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was remanded in custody prior to a additional proceeding on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
The legal representative, prosecuting, detailed the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She explained his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were participating in a summer program which he managed.
The man conducted a "candy game" with the children, the prosecutor stated, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and request they to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge Ruben had conducted this practice with the children "over an extended period", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She stated Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had worries in recently.
The legal representative stated further: "In the summer" his family member had suspicions about the activities, with valid cause.
"They decided to examine in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel stated items including infant oil, petroleum jelly and syringes were discovered, and his stepson notified the police about his worries.
She stated the defendant continued to engage in the "treat game" with six children that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that stage," she continued.
The oversight body, the police conduct office, had stated that it was examining law enforcement's management of the situation.
The legal representative said the minors were struggling to walk due to being ill, so the family member contacted the police a second time.
She stated the defendant then engaged in the "treat game" in a space of five minors.
