A person who spiked candy with sleeping medication and distributed them to minors at a summer program in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two young males both nine and ten years old.
The accused was taken into custody after eight minors and an older person became sick at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at the courthouse on Friday.
Yet, he disputed a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was against a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was held in detention prior to a additional proceeding on 28 November.
'Candy game'
The legal representative, presenting evidence, described Ruben's offending to the court.
She explained his those affected were under-privileged children who were staying at a youth camp which he managed.
The man played a "candy game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would go into the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to eat sweets "rapidly".
She stated to the judge Ruben had played this game with the children "repeatedly", and minors had previously become sick the following morning.
She explained the defendant had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had worries in recently.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "This year his stepson had suspicions about the activities, for good reason.
"They resolved" to examine in the man's possessions."
The prosecutor stated materials including lubricant, ointment and syringes were discovered, and his stepchild notified the law enforcement about his worries.
She stated the man went on to play the "treat game" with six boys that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the subsequent day.
"The police had not arrived by that stage," she stated further.
The oversight body, the investigative body, had stated that it was examining law enforcement's management of the situation.
The prosecutor explained the children were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so the stepson contacted the police a second time.
She said Ruben then played the "treat game" in a space of five youngsters.
