An individual who contaminated candy with sleeping medication and distributed them to minors at a youth camp in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two boys who were between nine and ten.
The accused was detained after eight minors and an older person experienced illness at the facility in the summer month.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he was present at the courthouse on the end of the week.
Yet, he denied one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was involving a young boy.
The accused was held in detention prior to a additional proceeding on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, detailed the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She said his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a summer program which he managed.
Ruben engaged in a "sweet game" with the children, the legal counsel stated, in which he would go into the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to consume candy "rapidly".
She stated to the judge the man had engaged in this activity with the boys "over an extended period", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She explained the man had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had concerns in recently.
The legal representative stated further: "Recently" his stepchild had worries about the situation, with valid cause.
"They decided to examine in the man's possessions."
The prosecutor explained items including lubricant, ointment and syringes were found, and his family member alerted the authorities about his suspicions.
She said Ruben went on to play the "sweet game" with six children that time - that Saturday - and they were all sick the next day.
"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that stage," she added.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the events.
Mrs Prior stated the children were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson called the law enforcement again.
She said the defendant then engaged in the "treat game" in a space of five children.
