A man who laced sweets with tranquilliser and gave them to youngsters at a summer camp in the area has confessed to sexual offences against two young males both between nine and ten.
The defendant was detained after eight children and a grown-up fell ill at the location in July.
The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he stood at the judicial center on Friday.
However, he disputed a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
The accused was kept in jail ahead of a further hearing on November 28th.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, outlined the criminal behavior to the court.
She said his those affected were under-privileged children who were attending a youth camp which he managed.
Ruben conducted a "sweet game" with the children, the prosecutor stated, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and request they to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She told the court the defendant had engaged in this activity with the children "for many years", and children had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She said Ruben had been able to explain this repeatedly as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had concerns in recently.
The prosecutor added: "This year his stepson had suspicions about the activities, justifiably.
"They chose" to examine in the individual's items."
The legal counsel explained materials including infant oil, petroleum jelly and injection devices were found, and his stepchild notified the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She explained Ruben went on to engage in the "sweet game" with six boys that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the following morning.
"The police had not arrived 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 stated the children were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson notified the authorities once more.
She said Ruben then conducted the "treat game" in a space of five children.
