An individual who laced treats with tranquilliser and distributed them to minors at a youth camp in the region has admitted sexual offenses against two young males aged between nine and ten.
The accused was detained after eight children and an older person became sick at the facility in mid-summer.
The senior citizen, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at the courthouse on Friday.
However, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was involving a young boy.
The defendant was remanded in custody ahead of a subsequent court date on November 28th.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, described the defendant's actions to the court.
She explained his targets were under-privileged children who were attending a summer camp which he managed.
The defendant engaged in a "treat game" with the children, the legal counsel stated, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and request they to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She told the court the man had conducted this practice with the young males "for many years", and youngsters had previously become sick the following morning.
She stated Ruben had been able to explain this repeatedly as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had suspicions in recently.
The prosecutor added: "This year his family member had concerns about the situation, for good reason.
"They chose" to examine in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC explained items including baby oil, Vaseline and medical needles were located, and his family member alerted the authorities about his concerns.
She explained the defendant went on to play the "sweet game" with six boys that evening - July 26th - and they were all ill the next day.
"The police had not responded by that point," she continued.
The regulatory agency, the police conduct office, previously told that it was investigating the police response of the incident.
The legal representative said the children were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so the stepson called the law enforcement once more.
She said the defendant then played the "candy game" in a room of five youngsters.
