A man who laced candy with tranquilliser and distributed them to minors at a youth camp in the area has admitted sexual offences against two young males both nine and ten years old.
The defendant was detained after eight children and an older person experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in July.
The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a total of 17 charges when he stood at the courthouse on Friday.
However, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was concerning a young boy.
The defendant was remanded in custody prior to a additional proceeding on late November.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, prosecuting, detailed the criminal behavior to the court.
She said his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a summer camp which he ran.
Ruben played a "treat game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor stated, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to ingest treats "rapidly".
She told the court the defendant had played this game with the boys "for many years", and minors had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She explained the man had been able to explain this repeatedly as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had worries in recently.
The prosecutor stated further: "This year his stepchild had suspicions about the activities, justifiably.
"They decided to have a look in the individual's items."
The prosecutor explained items including lubricant, petroleum jelly and injection devices were located, and his stepson alerted the law enforcement about his concerns.
She said Ruben went on to play the "candy game" with six youngsters that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the following morning.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that point," she added.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the situation.
The legal representative stated the minors were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so the family member contacted the law enforcement a second time.
She stated Ruben then played the "candy game" in a room of five children.
