A man who spiked sweets with sedative and provided them to youngsters at a summer program in the area has confessed to sexual offenses against two boys both nine and ten years old.
The accused was detained after eight youngsters and an older person experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he stood at the judicial center on Friday.
Yet, he refused to admit one particular crime he was accused of, which was against a young boy.
The defendant was kept in jail before a further hearing on late November.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, detailed Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She stated his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were staying at a youth camp which he operated.
The man played a "candy game" with the minors, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge the man had conducted this practice with the young males "over an extended period", and minors had previously become sick the following morning.
She said the defendant had been capable of justifying this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had concerns in recently.
The prosecutor continued: "Recently" his family member had suspicions about the activities, for good reason.
"They decided to have a look in the man's possessions."
The prosecutor explained objects including baby oil, ointment and syringes were found, and his stepson notified the authorities about his suspicions.
She explained the man went on to engage in the "sweet game" with six youngsters that night - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the next day.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that time," she added.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was reviewing the police response of the events.
Mrs Prior said the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson called the law enforcement a second time.
She said Ruben then engaged in the "sweet game" in a space of five children.
