An individual who spiked treats with tranquilliser and provided them to children at a summer program in the region has admitted sexual offenses against two children who were nine and ten years old.
The accused was taken into custody after eight youngsters and one adult fell ill at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.
The senior citizen, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he stood at the courthouse on the end of the week.
However, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was involving a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was remanded in custody ahead of a subsequent court date on late November.
'Treat game'
The prosecutor, handling the case, outlined the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She explained his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were staying at a summer camp which he managed.
The man conducted a "treat game" with the children, the legal counsel stated, in which he would go into the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and request they to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge Ruben had engaged in this activity with the children "over an extended period", and youngsters had previously become sick the subsequent day.
She said Ruben had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had worries in recently.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "Recently" his stepson had worries about the situation, justifiably.
"They resolved" to have a look in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC stated objects including infant oil, ointment and injection devices were found, and his stepson alerted the law enforcement about his worries.
She explained the defendant went on to play the "sweet game" with six boys that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.
"The police had not gone out by that stage," she added.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was examining Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.
Mrs Prior stated the youngsters were struggling to walk due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson notified the authorities again.
She explained Ruben then engaged in the "sweet game" in a area of five children.
