A person who contaminated sweets with sleeping medication and provided them to minors at a summer program in the area has admitted sexual offenses against two boys aged nine and ten years old.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight children and a grown-up became sick at the facility in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from that region, admitted guilt to a total of 17 charges when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
However, he denied a single sexual charge he was facing, which was involving a young boy.
The defendant was held in detention before a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Treat game'
The prosecutor, handling the case, described Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She stated his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were staying at a summer program which he ran.
The defendant conducted a "candy game" with the minors, the prosecutor stated, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were getting ready for bed and request they to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge the man had engaged in this activity with the young males "for many years", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She explained Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had worries in recently.
The legal representative stated further: "In the summer" his family member had concerns about the situation, with valid cause.
"They decided to examine in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor explained items including infant oil, petroleum jelly and medical needles were discovered, and his stepson notified the law enforcement about his worries.
She stated the man continued to engage in the "candy game" with six children that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the next day.
"Authorities" had not responded by that stage," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was reviewing the police response of the events.
The legal representative explained the minors were struggling to walk due to their condition, so the stepson notified the law enforcement again.
She explained Ruben then conducted the "sweet game" in a room of five children.
