An individual who spiked treats with tranquilliser and provided them to youngsters at a summer program in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two children who were between nine and ten.
The defendant was arrested after eight youngsters and an older person became sick at the facility in the summer month.
The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he stood at the courthouse on recently.
Yet, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was kept in jail before a additional proceeding on late November.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, detailed the criminal behavior to the court.
She explained his targets were under-privileged children who were staying at a summer program which he managed.
The defendant played a "candy game" with the minors, the prosecutor stated, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She informed the proceedings the defendant had played this game with the young males "over an extended period", and minors had previously become sick the following morning.
She said the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepchild had suspicions in recently.
Mrs Prior KC added: "This year his stepchild had worries about the situation, with valid cause.
"They chose" to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor said materials including infant oil, ointment and medical needles were found, and his family member contacted the authorities about his concerns.
She stated Ruben proceeded to engage in the "candy game" with six children that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the next day.
"Authorities" had not responded by that stage," she added.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was examining law enforcement's management of the incident.
The legal representative said the youngsters were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so the family member notified the authorities once more.
She said the man then engaged in the "treat game" in a space of five youngsters.
