A man who contaminated sweets with sleeping medication and distributed them to children at a youth camp in the region has admitted sexual offences against two young males both nine and ten years old.
The accused was detained after eight minors and an older person experienced illness at the facility in the summer month.
The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at the judicial center on the end of the week.
Yet, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was remanded in custody before a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, presenting evidence, described the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She said his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a summer camp which he ran.
Ruben conducted a "candy game" with the minors, the prosecutor explained, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".
She told the court the man had engaged in this activity with the children "for many years", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She said the man had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had worries in recently.
The prosecutor stated further: "Recently" his family member had concerns about what was going on, justifiably.
"They resolved" to have a look in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel explained objects including lubricant, petroleum jelly and medical needles were located, and his family member alerted the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She stated the defendant went on to play the "sweet game" with six children that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that point," she added.
The police watchdog, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was examining Leicestershire Police's handling of the events.
The legal representative stated the minors were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so the family member notified the authorities again.
She stated the man then engaged in the "treat game" in a area of five minors.
