A man who contaminated candy with tranquilliser and distributed them to children at a summer program in the region has confessed to sexual offenses against two young males aged nine and ten years old.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight youngsters and an older person experienced illness at the location in July.
The senior citizen, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he stood at the judicial center on Friday.
Yet, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was involving a young boy.
Ruben was kept in jail prior to a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, outlined the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She said his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were participating in a youth camp which he managed.
The defendant engaged in a "candy game" with the children, the legal counsel said, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to eat sweets "rapidly".
She told the court Ruben had played this game with the young males "repeatedly", and children had previously become sick the next day.
She explained the defendant had been able to explain this repeatedly as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had worries in recently.
Mrs Prior KC added: "Recently" his stepson had concerns about the situation, with valid cause.
"They decided to investigate in the individual's items."
The legal counsel said items including baby oil, ointment and medical needles were found, and his stepson alerted the police about his concerns.
She explained Ruben continued to conduct the "sweet game" with six children that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the following morning.
"The police had not gone out by that point," she continued.
The police watchdog, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was examining the police response of the incident.
The legal representative said the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson notified the authorities a second time.
She stated the man then engaged in the "treat game" in a space of five youngsters.
