A person who contaminated candy with tranquilliser and distributed them to children at a youth camp in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two children aged nine and ten years old.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight minors and an older person became sick at the location in mid-summer.
The senior citizen, from that region, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
However, he disputed a single sexual charge he was facing, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
The accused was kept in jail prior to a additional proceeding on late November.
'Treat game'
The prosecutor, handling the case, detailed the criminal behavior to the court.
She explained his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a summer camp which he managed.
Ruben engaged in a "sweet game" with the minors, the prosecutor stated, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were getting ready for bed and request they to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge Ruben had played this game with the boys "for many years", and youngsters had previously become sick the next day.
She said the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had suspicions in recently.
The legal representative stated further: "Recently" his stepchild had worries about the activities, for good reason.
"They decided to have a look in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC said materials including infant oil, petroleum jelly and injection devices were discovered, and his stepson contacted the police about his suspicions.
She explained the defendant went on to engage in the "candy game" with six children that night - July 26th - and they were all ill the subsequent day.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that point," she continued.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, previously told that it was investigating the police response of the situation.
The legal representative explained the minors were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so the stepson notified the authorities again.
She explained Ruben then engaged in the "sweet game" in a area of five minors.
