A man who laced sweets with tranquilliser and distributed them to children at a summer program in the region has confessed to sexual crimes against two boys both between nine and ten.
The defendant was detained after eight minors and one adult became sick at the location in July.
The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at the judicial center on Friday.
Yet, he disputed a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was kept in jail prior to a further hearing on late November.
'Candy game'
The prosecutor, prosecuting, outlined the defendant's actions to the court.
She said his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a youth camp which he operated.
The man engaged in a "candy game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to eat sweets "rapidly".
She told the court the defendant had conducted this practice with the boys "for many years", and children had previously become sick the next day.
She explained Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had concerns in recently.
The legal representative added: "Recently" his family member had concerns about the activities, with valid cause.
"They resolved" to investigate in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel said objects including infant oil, petroleum jelly and medical needles were located, and his family member contacted the authorities about his worries.
She stated the defendant went on to play the "candy game" with six youngsters that evening - that Saturday - and they were all ill the next day.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that point," she continued.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was reviewing the police response of the situation.
Mrs Prior explained the children were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so the family member called the law enforcement again.
She said the man then played the "candy game" in a area of five minors.
