A man who contaminated candy with sedative and gave them to youngsters at a youth camp in the area has confessed to sexual offenses against two boys aged nine and 10.
The accused was arrested after eight minors and one adult experienced illness at the facility in July.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he was present at the judicial center on the end of the week.
Yet, he denied a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was kept in jail before a additional proceeding on late November.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, described the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She said his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a youth camp which he ran.
The defendant engaged in a "candy game" with the minors, the legal counsel explained, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and request they to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She told the court Ruben had conducted this practice with the boys "for many years", and minors had previously become sick the following morning.
She explained the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had worries in recently.
Mrs Prior KC added: "This year his family member had concerns about the situation, for good reason.
"They decided to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel stated items including baby oil, Vaseline and injection devices were discovered, and his family member alerted the authorities about his worries.
She said Ruben proceeded to play the "treat game" with six boys that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the next day.
"The police had not gone out by that stage," she continued.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was reviewing the police response of the incident.
The legal representative said the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson contacted the law enforcement once more.
She stated the man then engaged in the "candy game" in a space of five youngsters.
