A person who contaminated sweets with tranquilliser and gave them to minors at a youth camp in the area has confessed to sexual offences against two young males both between nine and ten.
The defendant was arrested after eight minors and a grown-up became sick at the facility in mid-summer.
The senior citizen, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at the judicial center on Friday.
Nevertheless, he disputed a single sexual charge he was facing, which was involving a nine-year-old boy.
Ruben was held in detention ahead of a further hearing on late November.
'Sweet game'
The legal representative, prosecuting, described Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She explained his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a youth camp which he operated.
Ruben conducted a "candy game" with the minors, the prosecutor explained, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She informed the proceedings the man had conducted this practice with the young males "over an extended period", and children had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She explained Ruben had been able to explain this for many years as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had concerns in recently.
The prosecutor added: "In the summer" his stepson had suspicions about what was going on, for good reason.
"They decided to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC stated objects including lubricant, Vaseline and medical needles were located, and his family member notified the authorities about his concerns.
She said Ruben continued to play the "candy game" with six children that night - that Saturday - and they were all ill the next day.
"The police had not responded by that stage," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was reviewing the police response of the incident.
The prosecutor said the minors were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson contacted the police once more.
She said Ruben then engaged in the "candy game" in a space of five youngsters.
