A person who spiked sweets with sleeping medication and provided them to children at a youth camp in the region has confessed to sexual offenses against two young males who were nine and 10.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight children and a grown-up experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in July.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he stood at the courthouse on the end of the week.
However, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was against a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was kept in jail ahead of a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, described Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She stated his those affected were under-privileged children who were staying at a summer camp which he managed.
The defendant engaged in a "sweet game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor explained, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge Ruben had conducted this practice with the children "over an extended period", and minors had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She said the man had been able to explain this repeatedly as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had worries in recently.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "This year his family member had worries about the activities, justifiably.
"They resolved" to investigate in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC explained items including infant oil, petroleum jelly and medical needles were found, and his stepson alerted the police about his concerns.
She stated the defendant continued to engage in the "candy game" with six boys that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the next day.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that point," she stated further.
The oversight body, the police conduct office, had stated that it was investigating the police response of the incident.
The prosecutor stated the children were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so the family member notified the law enforcement a second time.
She explained the defendant then played the "treat game" in a room of five minors.