A person who contaminated candy with tranquilliser and provided them to minors at a summer program in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two boys both between nine and ten.
The defendant was arrested after eight minors and one adult experienced illness at the facility in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at the judicial center on the end of the week.
Yet, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was involving a young boy.
The accused was held in detention ahead of a additional proceeding on late November.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, outlined the defendant's actions to the legal proceedings.
She explained his victims were under-privileged children who were participating in a summer program which he managed.
Ruben conducted a "treat game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor stated, in which he would go into the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and request they to consume candy "rapidly".
She informed the proceedings the man had conducted this practice 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 minors being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had suspicions in recently.
The legal representative added: "In the summer" his family member had suspicions about what was going on, for good reason.
"They decided to examine in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor explained items including baby oil, Vaseline and medical needles were discovered, and his stepson notified the authorities about his suspicions.
She stated Ruben proceeded to play the "candy game" with six boys that time - that Saturday - and they were all ill the next day.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that time," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the events.
The legal representative stated the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson called the law enforcement a second time.
She explained Ruben then engaged in the "treat game" in a area of five youngsters.
