An individual who contaminated treats with sedative and distributed them to youngsters at a summer program in the region has admitted sexual offenses against two children both nine and ten years old.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight children and one adult fell ill at the facility in July.
The senior citizen, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he stood at the judicial center on Friday.
Yet, he disputed one particular crime he was facing, which was against a nine-year-old boy.
The defendant was remanded in custody prior to a additional proceeding on late November.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, described the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She said his those affected were under-privileged children who were participating in a summer camp which he ran.
The defendant engaged in a "treat game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to eat sweets "rapidly".
She stated to the judge the man had conducted this practice with the boys "for many years", and children had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She stated the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had worries in recently.
The prosecutor added: "In the summer" his stepson had worries about the situation, for good reason.
"They resolved" to have a look in the man's possessions."
The prosecutor said objects including lubricant, ointment and injection devices were located, and his family member contacted the law enforcement about his worries.
She said the man went on to play the "sweet game" with six youngsters that evening - that Saturday - and they were all sick the next day.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that point," she added.
The police watchdog, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the events.
Mrs Prior said the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so the family member contacted the authorities a second time.
She said Ruben then engaged in the "treat game" in a room of five minors.
