A person who spiked treats with sleeping medication and distributed them to minors at a summer program in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two young males aged nine and ten years old.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight youngsters and a grown-up became sick at the facility in the summer month.
The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a total of 17 charges when he was present at the courthouse on Friday.
Yet, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was against a young boy.
The accused was held in detention before a additional proceeding on late November.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, outlined Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She stated his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a summer program which he ran.
The man played a "candy game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to ingest treats "rapidly".
She told the court Ruben had engaged in this activity with the children "for many years", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She stated the man had been able to explain this for many years as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had concerns in recently.
The prosecutor added: "In the summer" his stepchild had worries about the situation, justifiably.
"They decided to examine in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel stated materials including lubricant, Vaseline and medical needles were discovered, and his stepson contacted the police about his suspicions.
She stated Ruben proceeded to conduct the "treat game" with six boys that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the following morning.
"The police had not arrived by that time," she added.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, had stated that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the situation.
The prosecutor explained the children were struggling to walk due to being ill, so the stepson contacted the police again.
She stated the defendant then conducted the "candy game" in a room of five youngsters.
