A man who contaminated candy with sedative and distributed them to children at a summer program in the region has admitted sexual crimes against two young males who were nine and ten years old.
The accused was arrested after eight minors and a grown-up became sick at Stathern Lodge in July.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at the judicial center on Friday.
Yet, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was against a young boy.
The accused was kept in jail ahead of a subsequent court date on late November.
'Candy game'
The prosecutor, prosecuting, described Ruben's offending to the court.
She stated his victims were under-privileged children who were staying at a summer camp which he operated.
Ruben played a "treat game" with the children, the legal counsel said, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and request they to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge the defendant had played this game with the young males "for many years", and minors had previously become sick the next day.
She stated Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had suspicions in recently.
The legal representative continued: "Recently" his family member had concerns about the situation, for good reason.
"They decided to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor said items including infant oil, Vaseline and syringes were found, and his stepson contacted the police about his worries.
She said the defendant proceeded to play the "treat game" with six children that night - that Saturday - and they were all ill the next day.
"The police had not gone out by that point," she added.
The oversight body, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the incident.
The prosecutor explained the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so the family member notified the police once more.
She stated Ruben then conducted the "candy game" in a space of five youngsters.
