A man who spiked sweets with sleeping medication and gave them to children at a summer program in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two boys aged nine and ten years old.
The defendant was arrested after eight youngsters and one adult became sick at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at the judicial center on Friday.
Yet, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was involving a young boy.
The defendant was kept in jail ahead of a additional proceeding on late November.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, described Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She explained his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a summer camp which he ran.
The man engaged in a "treat game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor stated, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She informed the proceedings the man had played this game with the boys "for many years", and children had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She explained the man had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had suspicions in recently.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "In the summer" his stepchild had concerns about the situation, for good reason.
"They chose" to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC explained materials including infant oil, ointment and syringes were found, and his family member notified the police about his suspicions.
She said the man proceeded to play the "sweet game" with six children that evening - that Saturday - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"The police had not arrived by that point," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was reviewing the police response of the incident.
The prosecutor said the youngsters were struggling to walk due to being ill, so the stepson notified the police a second time.
She stated the man then played the "treat game" in a space of five children.
