A man who contaminated sweets with sleeping medication and provided them to children at a summer program in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two children who were nine and 10.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight minors and a grown-up fell ill at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at the courthouse on Friday.
Yet, he disputed one particular crime he was accused of, which was involving a nine-year-old boy.
The defendant was held in detention prior to a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, presenting evidence, detailed the defendant's actions to the court.
She stated his victims were under-privileged children who were participating in a youth camp which he operated.
The defendant conducted a "sweet game" with the minors, Mrs Prior said, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to ingest treats "rapidly".
She stated to the judge the man had engaged in this activity with the children "for many years", and minors had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She stated the man had been able to explain this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had concerns in recently.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "In the summer" his family member had suspicions about what was going on, justifiably.
"They chose" to have a look in the man's possessions."
The prosecutor explained objects including infant oil, petroleum jelly and syringes were discovered, and his family member contacted the authorities about his suspicions.
She stated the defendant went on to conduct the "sweet game" with six boys that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the next day.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that time," she continued.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was examining the police response of the events.
The legal representative stated the minors were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson notified the authorities once more.
She stated the defendant then conducted the "candy game" in a space of five minors.
