An individual who contaminated treats with sedative and distributed them to children at a summer program in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two children who were nine and 10.
The accused was detained after eight minors and a grown-up fell ill at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The senior citizen, from the Nottinghamshire area, admitted guilt to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at the courthouse on the end of the week.
Yet, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was concerning a young boy.
The defendant was held in detention before a further hearing on November 28th.
'Candy game'
The prosecutor, presenting evidence, detailed the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She said his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a youth camp which he operated.
The man played a "sweet game" with the minors, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and request they to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She told the court the man had conducted this practice with the boys "for many years", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the next day.
She explained the man had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had suspicions in recently.
The prosecutor continued: "Recently" his family member had worries about the situation, justifiably.
"They resolved" to have a look in the individual's items."
The legal counsel stated objects including infant oil, Vaseline and medical needles were located, and his family member alerted the police about his suspicions.
She said Ruben went on to conduct the "sweet game" with six boys that evening - July 26th - and they were all ill the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that time," she continued.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the events.
Mrs Prior said the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so the family member called the police a second time.
She explained the man then engaged in the "sweet game" in a area of five children.
