A man who contaminated candy with tranquilliser and gave them to children at a summer program in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two children both nine and ten years old.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight youngsters and an older person experienced illness at the location in mid-summer.
The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at the courthouse on recently.
Nevertheless, he denied a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was remanded in custody before a additional proceeding on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, detailed Ruben's offending to the court.
She said his those affected were under-privileged children who were attending a summer program which he managed.
Ruben conducted a "sweet game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor explained, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and request they to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She informed the proceedings the man had conducted this practice with the children "for many years", and children had previously become sick the subsequent day.
She stated the man had been able to explain this over a long period as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had suspicions in recently.
The legal representative continued: "This year his stepchild had suspicions about what was going on, for good reason.
"They chose" to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC explained items including lubricant, petroleum jelly and syringes were discovered, and his stepson notified the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She said Ruben proceeded to play the "treat game" with six boys that time - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"Authorities" had not responded by that point," she added.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the events.
The prosecutor stated the minors were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so the family member notified the authorities a second time.
She explained Ruben then played the "candy game" in a space of five minors.
