A man who spiked treats with sedative and distributed them to minors at a summer program in the region has confessed to sexual offenses against two young males both nine and ten years old.
The defendant was arrested after eight children and an older person became sick at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The senior citizen, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he was present at the courthouse on Friday.
However, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
Ruben was kept in jail ahead of a subsequent court date on late November.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, outlined the criminal behavior to the court.
She stated his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a youth camp which he managed.
Ruben engaged in a "candy game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel explained, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to consume candy "rapidly".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had played this game with the young males "over an extended period", and children had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She stated the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had concerns in recently.
The prosecutor continued: "This year his stepson had suspicions about the situation, with valid cause.
"They chose" to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC said items including infant oil, Vaseline and injection devices were discovered, and his stepson notified the authorities about his worries.
She said the man proceeded to play the "treat game" with six youngsters that night - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.
"The police had not responded by that time," she added.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was reviewing the police response of the situation.
The legal representative stated the children were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson notified the police a second time.
She explained the man then played the "sweet game" in a room of five youngsters.
