A man who laced sweets with tranquilliser and provided them to children at a summer program in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two children who were between nine and ten.
The defendant was arrested after eight youngsters and an older person became sick at the location in mid-summer.
The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he was present at the courthouse on the end of the week.
Yet, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was involving a young boy.
Ruben was held in detention ahead of a further hearing on late November.
'Candy game'
The legal representative, handling the case, described the defendant's actions to the court.
She said his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a summer camp which he ran.
Ruben played a "sweet game" with the minors, the legal counsel stated, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and tell them to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge Ruben had conducted this practice with the boys "for many years", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She stated Ruben had been able to explain this over a long period as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had concerns in recently.
The legal representative stated further: "Recently" his stepson had suspicions about the activities, with valid cause.
"They chose" to examine in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor explained items including baby oil, ointment and injection devices were located, and his family member alerted the authorities about his suspicions.
She explained the defendant continued to conduct the "treat game" with six youngsters that evening - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that time," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the incident.
The prosecutor stated the children were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so the stepson contacted the law enforcement a second time.
She stated the defendant then conducted the "sweet game" in a room of five minors.