A man who spiked candy with sleeping medication and distributed them to minors at a summer program in the region has admitted sexual offenses against two children aged between nine and ten.
The accused was taken into custody after eight youngsters and an older person fell ill at Stathern Lodge in July.
The senior citizen, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he stood at the courthouse on the end of the week.
Nevertheless, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was against a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was held in detention ahead of a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Candy game'
The prosecutor, handling the case, outlined the criminal behavior to the court.
She said his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a youth camp which he operated.
The defendant played a "candy game" with the minors, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were settling down and request they to ingest treats "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge Ruben had played this game with the young males "for many years", and children had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She said the man had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had concerns in recently.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "Recently" his family member had worries about the activities, justifiably.
"They resolved" to examine in the individual's items."
Mrs Prior KC said items including infant oil, ointment and syringes were located, and his stepson notified the police about his concerns.
She stated Ruben went on to engage in the "sweet game" with six boys that evening - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that time," she stated further.
The oversight body, the investigative body, had stated that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the incident.
Mrs Prior stated the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson called the police once more.
She stated Ruben then played the "candy game" in a room of five children.
