An individual who laced sweets with tranquilliser and provided them to children at a youth camp in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two children who were nine and ten years old.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight youngsters and a grown-up became sick at the location in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at the judicial center on Friday.
However, he refused to admit one particular crime he was accused of, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was held in detention before a further hearing on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
The legal representative, presenting evidence, outlined the defendant's actions to the court.
She stated his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were staying at a summer program which he ran.
The man engaged in a "candy game" with the children, the legal counsel stated, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and request they to consume candy "rapidly".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had conducted this practice with the children "for many years", and youngsters had previously become sick the following morning.
She stated Ruben had been capable of justifying this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had concerns in recently.
The legal representative added: "In the summer" his family member had worries about what was going on, justifiably.
"They decided to investigate in the individual's items."
Mrs Prior KC said items including baby oil, petroleum jelly and medical needles were located, and his family member contacted the authorities about his concerns.
She said the defendant continued to conduct the "treat game" with six boys that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the next day.
"The police had not responded by that stage," she continued.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was investigating the police response of the situation.
The prosecutor stated the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so the family member called the police once more.
She stated the defendant then conducted the "treat game" in a space of five minors.
