A man who spiked treats with sleeping medication and gave them to children at a youth camp in the region has admitted sexual crimes against two young males both between nine and ten.
The accused was taken into custody after eight youngsters and one adult became sick at the location in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he was present at the courthouse on recently.
Yet, he denied a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
The accused was held in detention before a additional proceeding on late November.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, described the criminal behavior to the court.
She explained his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a summer program which he managed.
The defendant engaged in a "candy game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor said, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and tell them to ingest treats "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge the defendant had conducted this practice with the young males "over an extended period", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She stated the man had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had worries in recently.
The legal representative added: "This year his family member had suspicions about the situation, for good reason.
"They resolved" to examine in the man's possessions."
The prosecutor explained objects including lubricant, petroleum jelly and medical needles were discovered, and his family member alerted the authorities about his suspicions.
She stated Ruben continued to engage in the "treat game" with six children that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.
"The police had not gone out by that stage," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was examining law enforcement's management of the incident.
The prosecutor said the children were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so the family member notified the police a second time.
She said the defendant then engaged in the "sweet game" in a room of five youngsters.
