An individual who laced candy with tranquilliser and gave them to youngsters at a youth camp in the area has confessed to sexual crimes against two children both nine and 10.
The defendant was arrested after eight children and one adult fell ill at the facility in the summer month.
The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he stood at the judicial center on recently.
However, he refused to admit one particular crime he was facing, which was against a young boy.
The accused was held in detention prior to a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Candy game'
The legal representative, handling the case, outlined the defendant's actions to the court.
She stated his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were staying at a summer program which he operated.
Ruben engaged in a "treat game" with the minors, the prosecutor explained, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and tell them to consume candy "rapidly".
She told the court the defendant had engaged in this activity with the children "repeatedly", and children had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She stated Ruben had been able to explain this over a long period as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had concerns in recently.
The legal representative continued: "Recently" his stepson had suspicions about the situation, justifiably.
"They chose" to have a look in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC explained objects including infant oil, petroleum jelly and medical needles were found, and his family member notified the police about his worries.
She stated the defendant continued to engage in the "treat game" with six children that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the following morning.
"The police had not responded by that time," she stated further.
The oversight body, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the events.
The legal representative explained the children were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so the family member contacted the law enforcement once more.
She stated the man then played the "sweet game" in a area of five children.
