A man who contaminated candy with sleeping medication and gave them to children 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 minors and an older person fell ill at the location in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
However, he refused to admit one particular crime he was charged with, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
The accused was held in detention ahead of a further hearing on November 28th.
'Treat game'
The prosecutor, prosecuting, detailed the defendant's actions to the court.
She stated his those affected were disadvantaged youngsters who were staying at a summer program which he operated.
The man conducted a "candy game" with the children, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and request they to eat sweets "rapidly".
She told the court Ruben had engaged in this activity with the children "for many years", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She explained the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had suspicions in recently.
The legal representative added: "This year his stepchild had worries about the activities, for good reason.
"They resolved" to examine in the individual's items."
The legal counsel stated objects including lubricant, ointment and syringes were located, and his stepchild notified the police about his concerns.
She said Ruben continued to play the "candy game" with six boys that time - that Saturday - and they were all ill the next day.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that point," she added.
The oversight body, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was reviewing the police response of the events.
The legal representative explained the minors were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so the family member notified the law enforcement again.
She said the defendant then engaged in the "candy game" in a area of five youngsters.
