A person who spiked sweets with tranquilliser and provided them to youngsters at a summer camp in the region has confessed to sexual offenses against two young males who were nine and ten years old.
The defendant was detained after eight children and one adult experienced illness at the facility in July.
The senior citizen, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he was present at the courthouse on Friday.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was involving a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was kept in jail before a further hearing on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
The legal representative, handling the case, described the defendant's actions to the legal proceedings.
She stated his victims were under-privileged children who were attending a summer camp which he operated.
The defendant engaged in a "candy game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel explained, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to eat sweets "rapidly".
She stated to the judge Ruben had engaged in this activity with the young males "for many years", and children had previously fallen ill the next day.
She stated the man had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepchild had suspicions in recently.
Mrs Prior KC added: "In the summer" his stepchild had worries about what was going on, justifiably.
"They resolved" to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel explained items including infant oil, ointment and medical needles were found, and his stepchild alerted the police about his concerns.
She said the defendant went on to conduct the "treat game" with six youngsters that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the next day.
"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that time," she stated further.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was examining law enforcement's management of the events.
Mrs Prior explained the minors were struggling to walk due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson contacted the authorities once more.
She said the man then conducted the "candy game" in a area of five youngsters.
