A man who spiked sweets with sedative and gave them to youngsters at a youth camp in the region has confessed to sexual offenses against two children who were between nine and ten.
The accused was taken into custody after eight youngsters and a grown-up became sick at the facility in July.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at the courthouse on the end of the week.
However, he refused to admit one particular crime he was charged with, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was held in detention before a further hearing on November 28th.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, detailed the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She explained his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a summer camp which he managed.
The defendant engaged in a "treat game" with the children, the prosecutor stated, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and request they to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She told the court the defendant had conducted this practice with the children "repeatedly", and minors had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She stated Ruben had been capable of justifying this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had suspicions in recently.
The prosecutor stated further: "Recently" his stepson had concerns about the activities, with valid cause.
"They resolved" to examine in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC stated items including lubricant, ointment and injection devices were found, and his stepchild contacted the police about his concerns.
She stated the man proceeded to conduct the "treat game" with six youngsters that night - that Saturday - and they were all ill the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that point," she added.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was investigating the police response of the situation.
The legal representative said the minors were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson contacted the law enforcement once more.
She stated Ruben then played the "treat game" in a room of five minors.
