A man who contaminated candy with sedative and provided them to children at a summer program in the area has admitted sexual offences against two boys aged between nine and ten.
The accused was arrested after eight youngsters and a grown-up fell ill at the location in the summer month.
The senior citizen, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he stood at the judicial center on the end of the week.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit one particular crime he was accused of, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
The accused was held in detention prior to a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, described Ruben's offending to the court.
She said his those affected were under-privileged children who were staying at a summer program which he managed.
Ruben conducted a "treat game" with the minors, the prosecutor stated, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge the defendant had played this game with the children "for many years", and youngsters had previously become sick the next day.
She stated the man had been able to explain this repeatedly as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had worries in recently.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "This year his family member had suspicions about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They decided to have a look in the individual's items."
The prosecutor stated objects including baby oil, ointment and medical needles were found, and his family member alerted the police about his worries.
She said the defendant continued to engage in the "candy game" with six boys that evening - that Saturday - and they were all ill the following morning.
"The police had not arrived by that point," she added.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the situation.
Mrs Prior explained the minors were struggling to walk due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson notified the law enforcement once more.
She stated the defendant then engaged in the "treat game" in a space of five children.
