A man who spiked sweets with sleeping medication and provided them to minors at a summer program in the region has admitted sexual crimes against two young males who were nine and ten years old.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight children and an older person fell ill at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he was present at the courthouse on Friday.
Nevertheless, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was held in detention ahead of a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, presenting evidence, described Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She said his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were participating in a summer program which he ran.
Ruben engaged in a "candy game" with the children, the legal counsel explained, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She informed the proceedings the man had conducted this practice with the boys "for many years", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the next day.
She explained the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had concerns in recently.
The legal representative added: "Recently" his family member had worries about the situation, for good reason.
"They resolved" to investigate in the individual's items."
The prosecutor said items including lubricant, petroleum jelly and medical needles were discovered, and his stepchild notified the police about his suspicions.
She explained Ruben proceeded to play the "candy game" with six youngsters that evening - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that stage," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the police conduct office, previously told that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the events.
Mrs Prior explained the children were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson called the police again.
She said the man then played the "sweet game" in a space of five children.
