A man who laced sweets with sedative and provided them to youngsters at a summer program in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two children who were nine and ten years old.
The accused was taken into custody after eight youngsters and a grown-up fell ill at the facility in July.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, admitted guilt to a multiple criminal counts when he stood at the judicial center on Friday.
However, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was involving a nine-year-old boy.
Ruben was remanded in custody ahead of a further hearing on late November.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, detailed the defendant's actions to the court.
She explained his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a youth camp which he ran.
The man played a "candy game" with the children, the prosecutor explained, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were getting ready for bed and request they to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge the man had conducted this practice with the children "for many years", and youngsters had previously become sick the following morning.
She said Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had worries in recently.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "This year his stepson had suspicions about the activities, with valid cause.
"They resolved" to examine in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel stated items including infant oil, petroleum jelly and medical needles were located, and his stepson contacted the authorities about his suspicions.
She explained the man went on to conduct the "treat game" with six children that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that point," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the situation.
The legal representative said the minors were struggling to walk due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson notified the police again.
She explained Ruben then played the "treat game" in a area of five minors.
