A man who laced treats with sleeping medication and gave them to minors at a youth camp in the area has confessed to sexual offences against two young males who were nine and 10.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight children and a grown-up became sick at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he stood at the judicial center on Friday.
Yet, he denied one particular crime he was accused of, which was concerning a young boy.
Ruben was remanded in custody ahead of a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, detailed Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She stated his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a summer camp which he managed.
The man engaged in a "treat game" with the children, the legal counsel stated, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and request they to eat sweets "rapidly".
She told the court the defendant had conducted this practice with the young males "repeatedly", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She explained Ruben had been capable of justifying this for many years as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had concerns in recently.
The legal representative continued: "This year his stepchild had suspicions about what was going on, justifiably.
"They resolved" to have a look in the individual's items."
The legal counsel stated materials including infant oil, ointment and syringes were discovered, and his family member contacted the law enforcement about his worries.
She said the man went on to engage in the "candy game" with six youngsters that night - July 26th - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"Authorities" had not responded by that point," she added.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was investigating the police response of the incident.
The legal representative stated the children were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson notified the authorities once more.
She said the defendant then conducted the "sweet game" in a room of five youngsters.
