A man who contaminated candy with sleeping medication and provided them to minors at a summer program in the region has admitted sexual offences against two young males who were nine and 10.
The accused was taken into custody after eight youngsters and one adult experienced illness at the location in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from that region, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was kept in jail before a additional proceeding on late November.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, outlined the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She stated his targets were under-privileged children who were attending a summer program which he managed.
The defendant engaged in a "candy game" with the children, the legal counsel said, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to eat sweets "rapidly".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had engaged in this activity with the boys "over an extended period", and minors had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She said the defendant had been able to explain this over a long period as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepchild had worries in recently.
The legal representative continued: "Recently" his family member had concerns about the situation, justifiably.
"They chose" to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel explained materials including lubricant, Vaseline and medical needles were located, and his family member notified the authorities about his worries.
She stated Ruben went on to conduct the "sweet game" with six children that time - that Saturday - and they were all ill the following morning.
"The police had not responded by that time," she continued.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the situation.
The prosecutor said the youngsters were struggling to walk due to their condition, so the family member notified the authorities a second time.
She said the defendant then engaged in the "candy game" in a area of five minors.
