A man who spiked candy with sleeping medication and distributed them to children at a youth camp in the area has confessed to sexual offences against two boys who were nine and ten years old.
The accused was arrested after eight children and an older person became sick at the location in July.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at the courthouse on the end of the week.
Yet, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was against a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was held in detention ahead of a subsequent court date on late November.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, described Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She said his targets were under-privileged children who were staying at a youth camp which he managed.
The man conducted a "sweet game" with the children, the prosecutor stated, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to ingest treats "rapidly".
She stated to the judge Ruben had played this game with the young males "for many years", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She stated the defendant had been able to explain this over a long period as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had suspicions in recently.
The legal representative stated further: "This year his family member had worries about the activities, for good reason.
"They resolved" to investigate in the individual's items."
The prosecutor said items including infant oil, Vaseline and syringes were discovered, and his family member alerted the police about his suspicions.
She said the defendant continued to engage in the "candy game" with six children that time - that Saturday - and they were all ill the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that stage," she added.
The oversight body, the police conduct office, had stated that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the situation.
Mrs Prior said the youngsters were struggling to walk due to their condition, so the family member notified the police a second time.
She explained Ruben then conducted the "sweet game" in a space of five minors.
