A man who contaminated treats with tranquilliser and gave them to minors at a summer camp in the area has admitted sexual crimes against two children who were nine and 10.
The accused was arrested after eight children and an older person experienced illness at the facility in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty 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 charged with, which was against a young boy.
The defendant was remanded in custody ahead of a further hearing on late November.
'Candy game'
The legal representative, handling the case, detailed Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She said his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were staying at a youth camp which he operated.
The defendant played a "sweet game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor explained, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to ingest treats "rapidly".
She told the court Ruben had played this game with the boys "over an extended period", and children had previously fallen ill the next day.
She said the man had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepchild had worries in recently.
The legal representative continued: "Recently" his family member had worries about the activities, with valid cause.
"They decided to have a look in the individual's items."
Mrs Prior KC stated objects including baby oil, petroleum jelly and syringes were found, and his stepchild alerted the police about his worries.
She stated the defendant continued to engage in the "treat game" with six children that time - that Saturday - and they were all ill the next day.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that stage," she added.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, previously told that it was reviewing the police response of the situation.
Mrs Prior explained the children were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson notified the authorities again.
She explained the man then played the "sweet game" in a space of five minors.
