A man who laced sweets with sedative and gave them to children at a summer program in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two boys who were nine and ten years old.
The defendant was arrested after eight minors and an older person experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in July.
The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at the courthouse on the end of the week.
However, he denied one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was kept in jail before a further hearing on 28 November.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, described the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She said his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a summer camp which he ran.
The man conducted a "sweet game" with the minors, the legal counsel said, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and request they to consume candy "rapidly".
She stated to the judge the defendant had engaged in this activity with the children "repeatedly", and minors had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She explained the defendant had been able to explain this repeatedly as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had worries in recently.
The legal representative stated further: "Recently" his family member had concerns about what was going on, justifiably.
"They decided to investigate in the individual's items."
The legal counsel stated objects including baby oil, Vaseline and injection devices were found, and his stepson contacted the police about his worries.
She explained Ruben continued to conduct the "candy game" with six boys that time - July 26th - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"Authorities" had not responded by that point," she continued.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, had stated that it was investigating the police response of the incident.
The prosecutor explained the youngsters were struggling to walk due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson notified the law enforcement once more.
She stated the man then conducted the "candy game" in a space of five youngsters.
