A person who spiked candy with sedative and provided them to minors at a summer camp in the area has confessed to sexual crimes against two young males who were nine and 10.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight youngsters and an older person became sick at the facility in mid-summer.
The senior citizen, from the Nottinghamshire area, admitted guilt to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at the judicial center on the end of the week.
Yet, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was facing, which was against a young boy.
The accused was held in detention before a further hearing on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
The legal representative, presenting evidence, detailed Ruben's offending to the court.
She said his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a summer program which he managed.
The man played a "treat game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She informed the proceedings the defendant had engaged in this activity with the children "over an extended period", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She said the defendant had been able to explain this over a long period as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had concerns in recently.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "In the summer" his stepson had concerns about the activities, for good reason.
"They decided to investigate in the individual's items."
The legal counsel stated objects including baby oil, petroleum jelly and medical needles were found, and his stepchild notified the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She stated the defendant went on to conduct the "candy game" with six children that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"Authorities" had not responded by that time," she added.
The police watchdog, the police conduct office, previously told that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the incident.
The prosecutor said the minors were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so the family member notified the law enforcement a second time.
She stated the man then conducted the "treat game" in a room of five youngsters.
