A person who spiked candy with sleeping medication and distributed them to youngsters at a summer camp in the area has admitted sexual crimes against two children both nine and 10.
The defendant was arrested after eight children and one adult fell ill at the location in the summer month.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at the courthouse on the end of the week.
However, he refused to admit one particular crime he was facing, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
Ruben was held in detention ahead of a further hearing on 28 November.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, prosecuting, outlined the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She stated his targets were under-privileged children who were participating in a youth camp which he managed.
The defendant conducted a "treat game" with the minors, the legal counsel said, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and request they to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She told the court the defendant had played this game with the young males "for many years", and children had previously fallen ill the next day.
She explained Ruben had been able to explain this over a long period as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepchild had suspicions in recently.
The legal representative continued: "In the summer" his family member had concerns about the activities, justifiably.
"They resolved" to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel explained materials including lubricant, petroleum jelly and injection devices were discovered, and his stepchild alerted the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She explained Ruben proceeded to play the "treat game" with six youngsters that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that stage," she continued.
The regulatory agency, the police conduct office, previously told that it was examining law enforcement's management of the incident.
The prosecutor said the children were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson called the police again.
She explained the man then conducted the "treat game" in a area of five youngsters.
