A man who contaminated candy with sedative and distributed them to minors at a summer camp in the region has admitted sexual crimes against two boys aged nine and 10.
The accused was taken into custody after eight children and one adult experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.
The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at the judicial center on recently.
Nevertheless, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was involving a young boy.
Ruben was held in detention before a subsequent court date on late November.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, described Ruben's offending to the court.
She explained his those affected were disadvantaged youngsters who were staying at a youth camp which he operated.
The man engaged in a "treat game" with the children, the legal counsel explained, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and request they to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge the defendant had played this game with the children "repeatedly", and minors had previously fallen ill the next day.
She stated the man had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had suspicions in recently.
The legal representative added: "This year his stepson had worries about what was going on, justifiably.
"They resolved" to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC said items including lubricant, Vaseline and medical needles were discovered, and his family member notified the authorities about his suspicions.
She explained the defendant went on to engage in the "candy game" with six children that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that time," she added.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was investigating the police response of the events.
The legal representative said the minors were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so the stepson notified the authorities once more.
She explained the man then conducted the "candy game" in a space of five minors.
